A small business in Halifax, Nova Scotia is getting international attention after offering his customers a way to let off some steam amid tensions between Canada and the United States.
Owner Terry LeBlanc from Rage Room tells our newsroom business has not only picked up since their “Smash the Tariffs” event kicked off a couple of weeks ago, but even the White House had something to say about what they are doing.
According to Fox News, a spokesperson from the White House said Canada won’t have to worry about tariffs anymore when we become the 51 state.
LeBlanc says, all of this is quite an accomplishment.
“I was told that this could reach international [attention] and I kind of laughed it off. And then when it did hit international, I was like… ‘wow’. It was very surprising for me,” LeBlanc.
What is it?
The Rage Room is a safe space where you can let out ‘rage’ by smashing a variety of electronics and household items that you don’t have to clean up yourself.
With looming tariffs from the U.S., the business is providing a free framed picture of Donald Trump to smash with every booking.
In addition, framed pictures of J.D. Vance and Elon Musk are also available at a small cost with those proceeds donated to Feed Nova Scotia.
Huge success
Not only has word gotten out around town about what Rage Room is offering, but they have also garnered attention around the world in places like Australia and India.
Scott Gillard, who owns Quinprint has partnered with LeBlanc and is printing off all of the pictures for free.
Gillard says the event has become quite a phenomenon and fascinating to watch.
“I’ve seen myself on television in Australia being referred to as a lunatic with a weapon, which frankly is a point of pride. So, yeah, it’s quite a thing. It’s quite a thing. It certainly has taken off,” says Gillard.
“People are seeing what we’re doing. They’re viewing it as emblematic of the state of the relationship between Canada and the United States. They’re picking this up and running with it. There’s something unique about this particular response and that novelty has caught on. It’s been fascinating at worst and incredible at best.”
Gillard adds, the customer response has been very positive.
“Terry [the owner] is very happy. Business is up. His customers are engaging. He’s having good conversations…positive conversations… about how folks can support other Canadian businesses when they leave.”
How many pictures?
To start the event, they printed off 150 pictures.
Gillard says, there has now been at least 500 – and that is just Trump.
Now, he says, they expect to see an uptick in the number of Vance and Musk photos used with the donation process to Feed Nova Scotia a little easier.
“It took a few days to get the system rolling and everything. They’re now actively pushing those donations. I would expect that by mid-April they would have generated a few extra bucks for Feed Nova Scotia.”
Smash the Tariffs will continue as long as tariffs from the U.S. are in play.
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