Sarnia area merchants hope the Blue Water Bridge maintenance closure has a positive impact on their bottom line.
Harbour Bay Clothing owner Helen Van Sligtenhorst encourages people to avoid the potential border delays and explore what local shops have to offer.
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Van Sligtenhorst says the high exchange rate is another reason to shop local.
She says Sarnia's downtown businesses are diverse and people are surprised by the price points being offered.
The original Blue Water Bridge, built in 1937, closed to traffic Sunday.
Its surface will be repaved and structure undercoated.
Traffic in both directions is now using the newer eastbound span that was completed in 1997.