NIAGARA COUNTY, N.Y. -- Cross-border shopping is on the decline, and it's impacted Canadian traffic and business at places like the Niagara Falls Fashion Outlets.

"We're used to being busy Saturdays where we have lines out the door, but I'm not even seeing that out in our hallways let alone in our store," said Ann Taylor Loft Co-Manager Chris Webster.

Fewer Canadian customers have been shopping at the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls. About a year ago a new outlet mall opened in Ontario, Canada, less than 10 minutes away from the Lewiston-Queenston bridge. It's had an impact on Canadian traffic at the Fashion outlets, but shoppers say other economic factors have also played a role.

"I think when it comes down to it though the inconvenience of having to cross the bridge, and then having to pay a little bit extra because of the exchange rate, I think it's an inconvenience and it keeps people on their own side of the bridge," said Chris Reed, who was out shopping Tuesday.

"There's always an impact but it's also cyclical, this isn't something that hasn't happened before. Look back to 2007, 2008, it's pretty much the same scenario," said Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls Marketing Manager Michael Powers.

Despite a decrease in Canadian traffic, Powers said it has more to do with the Canadian exchange rate than competition between malls.

In a statement, Lew Holloway, the General Manager of the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission said:

"It's very difficult to pinpoint the exact factors that influence border travel; however, we do know that overall automobile crossings are down in both the Niagara region and all across the northern border. Certainly the current exchange rate and extended wintry weather played a big factor in overall Canadian American travel activity this year."

"We're always kind of fighting against the goods and services tax that folks in Ontario pay, it's a higher tax rate. When their dollar gets closer to 90 cents on the American dollar, it makes more financial sense, better financial sense for them to come down and see us," said Powers.

The ebb and flow of the currency is not uncommon, and Powers says he's confident Canadian traffic at the Fashion Outlets will bounce back.