Shoppers missing out on south-of-the-border deals due to the low Canadian dollar will get a reprieve, thanks to a special promotion at Bellingham’s Bellis Fair Mall.
The retail destination, a long-time favourite for Lower Mainland shoppers looking for deals at some U.S.-only stores, will be accepting the Canadian dollar at par during holiday weekends in 2016. While the promotion began in March, the next opportunity to shop exchange-rate free is the Victoria Day long weekend, May 21 to 23.
Located 84 kilometres from Vancouver and only 35 kilometres from the Peace Arch border crossing, Bellis Fair features a Target, Sports Authority, Best Buy Mobile, DSW Shoes, JCPenny, Macy’s and Macy’s Home Store, Forever 21 and dozens more retailers, but not all shops will be participating in the promotion.
According to Bellis Fair, the only retailers participating at this time include Macy’s, JCPenny, Just Sports, Go Grill, Beauty Nails, Blooming, Piercing Pagoda, Wishes, Brow Arc, Christopher and Banks, Express Japan, Thai Go & Noodle, The Children’s Place, and Villa Pizza.
More dates where Canadians can shop at par in 2016 include:
- Victoria Day long weekend – Saturday, May 21 to Monday, May 23
- Canada Day long weekend – Friday, July 1 to Sunday, July 3
- Labour Day long weekend – Saturday, Sept. 3 to Monday, Sept. 5
- Thanksgiving long weekend – Saturday, Oct. 8 to Monday, Oct. 10
- Remembrance Day long weekend – Friday, Nov. 11 to Sunday, Nov. 13
The concept has been talked about for around a year and a half, ever since the Canadian dollar started decreasing significantly, according to Bellingham Chamber of Commerce president Guy Occhiogrosso. The Bellis Fair Mall is the first business in the county to implement the promotion, but pending on the success of the program, more businesses may choose to participate in the future.
“In the coming months we may see other retailers in the area, not just those in the mall, sign on and participate in the program. We’re going to evaluate, see the response, and see if it’s welcome,” said Occhiogrosso.
“I do suspect that we will see some of our lodging partners and some of our entertainment activity based businesses offering this on these particular weekends.”
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