It appears more Westman residents headed south to do some shopping over the summer.

Over the past year the Canadian dollar was far from the 80 cent mark and that kept Canadians shopping closer to home.

“Since your dollar has crept up towards the 80 cent mark we have noticed an increase in the number of Canadians coming down for a visit” said Phyllis Burckhard Executive Director with Minot's Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

Burckhard adds many business operators will walk their parking lots to get a feel for where shoppers are coming from to do business in North Dakota.

“We come up to trade shows in Brandon and Regina and when people stop by they say without question once the dollar drops too far below the 80 cent mark that is when they stay home and don't head south.”

As August slips away people turn their attention to back to school shopping. “Absolutely back to school is another time when lots of people come shopping and over the next few weeks we anticipate a lot of shoppers will be in Minot.”

Burckhard says they rely on coupon books and other deals geared towards Canadians to get more people to head south of the border.