Cross-border relocation triggered by tariffs hits rubber duck collection exhibit in Canada
Rewritten Article:
Hey there! Let's chat about Neil and Krystal King, the folks behind The Rubber Duck Museum in Point Roberts, Washington State. They've got a much bigger move on their minds, thanks to those U.S. tariffs and the tension with Canada. I suppose you're wondering why there's a rubber duck museum to begin with, eh? Let me fill you in!
Krystal spills the beans: Their little town is an exclave—you guessed it, sandwiched between the United States and Canada. You can imagine how dependent they are on Canadian tourism for their economy. Ever since the pandemic struck and closed the borders, their town's been struggling to regain footing. So, they thought, why not attract some rubber duck-loving visitors with an exhibit? They already had hundreds of rubber ducks in a nearby shop, and looking at data, there wasn't any just rubber duck museum out there. Sounded like a fun venture, right?
Now, you might be wondering: any historical pieces, like a Mona Lisa of rubber ducks? Krystal mentions their alter ego, old-school rubber duck from the 1930s, produced by Seiberling and Disney. It's pretty dope to have that historical piece, along with the mold that created it!
But, what's Point Roberts like now? Is the current friction causing any issues? Neil and Krystal fact-check: quiet. Yep, that's the best word to describe it. No cars, no bustling shops, not even during holiday weekends. Why's that? Regulars and loyal customers have taken a stand, upset with the rhetoric from the White House. They feel offended, threatened, and like the only option they have is to keep their tourist dollars out of the U.S.
So, what's next? They're moving to Canada, but not just yet for the Kings' home. The rubber ducks, though, gotta hit the road. Not having a stable market for rubber ducks was what pushed them to make this tough decision. With the tariffs and the unsustainable business model, the Kings chose to move their museum to a more supportive environment—which is now Canada.
Would they lose the charm by leaving Point Roberts? Nah, but it's not an easy choice to make for these entrepreneurs. They have a deep love for their shop and customers, but staying in Point Roberts would mean closing their doors for good. Bummer, isn't it? Things took a turn for the worse, all due to the U.S. tariffs, border tensions, and a political climate that soured relations between the two nations.
Sources:1. NPR Transcripts, (Date), [Link]2. CNN Business, (Date), [Link]3. The Globe and Mail, (Date), [Link]
- The Kings, owners of The Rubber Duck Museum, are planning a move to Canada due to the economic instability caused by U.S. tariffs and the strained relations with their neighboring country.
- The U.S. tariffs have had a significant impact on the local industry and economy of Point Roberts, causing a decline in tourism due to Canadian visitors keeping their tourist dollars out of the U.S.
- The Rubber Duck Museum, located in an exclave dependent on Canadian tourism, is moving its operations to a more supportive environment, taking their collection of rubber ducks with them.
- Krystal and Neil King, the proprietors of The Rubber Duck Museum, are facing a difficult decision as they pack up and relocate, leaving the charming town and their loyal customers behind.
- The move also involves the relocation of a historical piece from the museum, an old-school rubber duck from the 1930s, produced by Seiberling and Disney, along with the mold that created it.