Edmonton business hoping for a tariff breakthrough at G7 summit in Alberta this week
Posted June 16, 2025 5:34 pm.
Last Updated June 16, 2025 5:37 pm.
A candy store in West Edmonton sells treats that are often hard to find in other local stores — like Gobstoppers and Good & Plenty — items that are mostly made in the U.S.
The store owner told CityNews they’ve been hit hard by U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war with Canada, hoping for a tariff breakthrough at G7 summit in Alberta this week.
“We were buying inventory and not having sales to pack it up and then the tariffs started in March and all my inventory went up 25 per cent,” said Laurie Radostits, the owner of Sweet Convenience.
When Radostits opened Sweet Convenience in 2014, she wanted to offer customers something new — treats that Canadians would only find when they travel — things like U.S.-made candy, pop soda, cereals, and chocolate chip pancake pop-tarts.
Radostits said her business struggled through COVID years, but it was able to survive, saying she was doing just fine until Canada announced retaliatory tariffs in response to Trump’s 25 per cent tax on Canadian imports.
But after Canadians launched the ‘buy Canadian’ campaign, Radostits said her sales dwindled and she almost closed down her business.
“The landlord said I didn’t pay rent and I had to figure it out quick,” she explained.
“I wanted to stockpile so I can keep the prices low, and customers would still shop. I didn’t expect to be getting messages like remove everything American from your shelves. We’re not buying anything American anymore. I was like I didn’t prepare for this!”
Radostits told CityNews that supporting Canadian and buying Canadian are very different.
“I’m Canadian. I am local, and I have done so much for the community. I’m not a big business. I’m the person to come to when you need a silent auction basket for your daughter’s recital,” she explained.
Radostits said the business is now doing ok after she launched a social media plea for customers to shop at her store, or otherwise, she would have to shut down. But she’s hoping for a deal at the Alberta summit to end the U.S.-Canada trade war.
