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Border crossing opening still not getting customers to the mall next door
Regan Send an email 1 week agoLast Updated: January 24, 2023
SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — The reopening of Ped West two weeks ago was anticipated for many reasons, including the likelihood of bringing more customers south of the border to the mall right across the street.
But this did not happen, as the border crossing turned out to be much lower than expected.
The head of the San Ysidro Chamber of Commerce, Jason Wells, told Tijuana's El Sol newspaper last week that he hopes the number of commuters using Ped West will increase in the coming weeks.
PedWest border crossing reopens to US pedestrians after almost 3 years
"We are doing well, but the more transitions we have, the better for San Isidro. I expect it will take a few more weeks to balance the flow on both sides," said Wells.
Since it reopened earlier this month, it has only reopened northbound from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm. Southbound lanes to Mexico remain closed.
Outlet across the street from Ped West at San Ysidro port of entry. (Salvador Rivera/Border Report)
Before the coronavirus pandemic and major travel restrictions shut it down, it was open 24/7 with around 20,000 daily travel in both directions.
Now, according to Wells, that number is only "a couple of thousand a day."
'No one uses' newly opened border crossing, CBP officer says
Coffee Bean and Tea staff said they've only noticed a few extra customers since Ped West reopened with a few more on the weekends, but nothing "out of the ordinary."
The manager of the sports gift shop, who did not want to be named, said she was frustrated by the number of shoppers who use Ped West to cross the border as they expected more customers to come back and increase profits.
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Border Report contacted US Customs and Border Protection for official data, but our request went unanswered.
Border Report also reached out to Las Americans Premium Outlets mall operators to find out how beneficial Ped West's reopening has been for its tenants, but was directed to its PR representative, who has yet to answer our questions.
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