'Lots of sadness': Border town business forced to close after B.C. visits nosedive
Kora’s Corner, named after the Kings’ daughter Koraline, is a candy and souvenir shop located at 1480 Gulf Rd., Suite A, Point Roberts.
It also offers board game rentals, showcases local artisans, and hosts a variety of community events.
The store opened in March 2022 and was built around what co-owner Neil King describes as “the simple things people love.”
“Candy, novelty treats, toys, rubber ducks, housewares, Point Roberts merchandise, and unique items that brought joy,” he said. “For visitors, mostly Canadians, we became a welcoming place to stop, look around, ask questions, and get a sense of Point Roberts.
“Many people came in to ask about beaches, restaurants, crossing the border, or how the town works. Over time, the shop became a friendly community hub rather than just a storefront.”
Neil, Koraline, and Krystal King
According to the Kings, who opened Kora’s Corner when their daughter was only eight weeks old, the decline in B.C. travellers began in February of this year. The drop in border crossings then became unmistakable through the spring and summer.
“Our visitor drop matched the border crossing decline at about 60 percent. During that same period, we faced a 25 per cent rent increase, a 90 per cent increase to our POS service, and rising inventory costs due to tariffs and uncertainty at the border.
“By the time fall arrived, the trend was impossible to ignore. After the US elections, we received many messages from Canadian customers saying they would not be visiting for the next four years. They were kind and empathetic, but honest that the border felt tense.”
The Kings also added that the increased crackdowns and detainments, and the now well-known 51st state comments, also influenced many regular B.C. visitors to no longer go to Washington State.
“All of this made travel feel uncomfortable for visitors who were previously our main source of traffic.”
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Recent data show that border crossings to Washington state from B.C. have continued their sharp drop.
The Whatcom Council of Governments’ 2025 Changes in Border Volume data shows that in October 2025, the volume of southbound vehicles from B.C. to Washington state is down by 37 per cent compared to the same period in 2024.
“Other businesses in town have shared that they are experiencing the same drop in Canadian visitors along with rising costs,” said the Kings. “One of the parcel businesses has already closed, and another longtime restaurant will be closed through the winter. This has been felt across the community.”
The Kings are exploring all options for keeping Kora’s Corner going in a new capacity, whether it be in a new location, under a new partnership, or through another creative solution. But nothing has come to fruition as of yet.
Kora’s Corner
The entrepreneurs are also moving their beloved Rubber Duck Museum to Tsawwassen Mills in Delta for an opening in December.
But there is still “a lot of sadness and a lot of heart” in the community with the loss of Kora’s Corner’s current home.
“Parents have told us their children are disappointed because the store was part of their routine,” said the Kings. “Many families said it felt like losing one of the few places in town that catered to children and families. The emotional responses have meant a great deal to us and have shown us how connected people felt to the space.”
The Kings added that they understand why many Canadians feel hesitant to use the border crossings this year, and thanked British Columbians for the thoughtful and compassionate messages.
Kora’s Corner
The Kora’s Corner owners also shared gratitude for the Point Roberts Community.
“In almost four years of running Kora’s Corner, we never took a paycheck. Every dollar went back into free community events, fundraisers, and improving the shop,” the Kings added. “Serving Point Roberts has been one of the greatest privileges of our lives. Our daughter grew up inside this little store, surrounded by kindness. That is something we will always carry with us.
“Thank you for every visit, every smile, and every moment you shared with us. This shop mattered because of you.”