A small interior design business in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, says tariffs on Canadian goods imposed by the Trump administration have put its future in doubt, highlighting how US trade measures aimed at Canada are rippling into cross-border retail relationships.
Amy Burke Lepper, who has owned One Of A Kind Interior Design for 21 years, said the business relies on a cabinet line assembled in Canada and trucked to her store. She said tariffs announced by the Trump administration in August now apply at 50% on almost everything from what she described as a previously free and fair trade relationship with Canada.
Rising Costs on Multiple Fronts
Burke Lepper said the tariffs have combined with rising fuel surcharges on the trucking of cabinetry from Canada, adding further pressure to her costs. She said she has been absorbing roughly 25% of the added costs herself rather than passing the full amount on to customers.
She said she has stayed loyal to her Canadian supplier despite customer suggestions that she switch to an American product line, citing her long-standing relationship with the company.
Customers Pulling Back
Burke Lepper said at least two client projects were canceled recently over cost concerns. She said some customers told her their financial advisors had recommended delaying renovation or building plans because of interest rates, tariffs and inflation.
She said that pattern of customers holding off on projects, if it continues, threatens the viability of her business over time.
Uncertain Future
Burke Lepper said she does not believe closure is imminent, but said she is concerned about what the next few months could bring if conditions do not change. She noted she has previously navigated the business through a recession and the pandemic, but described the current circumstances as different.
She said she hopes customers will return and that the tariffs will eventually be lifted, calling the outlook for her business uncertain for now.
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