Kara’s Corner to close end of month
Kora’s Corner will be closing its current location at the end of December after four years in business. Owners Neil and Krystal King say rising costs and falling tourism finally made the operation unsustainable.
The shop began its most recent iteration when the previous owner, Auntie Pam, approached the Kings about taking over her store. At first, they hesitated because Krystal was in her third trimester, but the idea of a small country shop felt right. They had found community in Point Roberts and wanted to give back. The store opened under the Kora’s Corner name when their daughter, Koraline, was just eight weeks old, and she quite literally grew up in the store.
“She’s spent almost every weekend of her life here since she was born,” Neil said. Over time, the shop evolved from its inherited inventory into a mix of novelty candy, toys, housewares, plants, and their own Point Roberts merchandise. Last year they added the Rubber Duck Museum, which drew media attention and plenty of curious visitors.
Kora’s Corner quickly became known for its community involvement. The Kings hosted four annual Trunk or Treats, outdoor sales, a full summer carnival with a
circus, a Secret Santa program, and many seasonal activities. They supported local fundraisers such as The Angel Project and Round Up for Roger, sold tickets for town events, and kept the long tradition of the penny candy table alive. In the summer, children rode their bikes to the store, and tourists often treated the shop as an informal visitors center.
Financial pressures began building last fall. Despite the excitement surrounding the Rubber Duck Museum, the Kings were struggling to deal with a rent increase and then cross border traffic dropped sharply, while new tariffs raised the cost of inventory. Because Canadian visitors made up most of their customer base, the impact was immediate.
“Every major cost went up at once,” Neil said. “When a business becomes much more expensive to operate at the same time traffic falls by a wide margin, even operating without taking paychecks cannot make the numbers work.”
The community’s reaction to the pending closure has been emotional. “People have been coming in almost in tears,” Neil said. “Parents tell us this was their kids’ favorite place in Point Roberts. It’s been heartbreaking.”
The Kings hope this is not a final good-
Obituary
Richard Theodore Braffet 1932-2025
With sorrow but with gratitude for 93 years well lived, we announce the passing of Richard Theodore “Ted” Braffet on September 13, 2025, husband, father, grandfas Ted Braffet.
ther (plus great and great-great), brother, uncle, friend, teacher, veteran, artist, traveler, boat builder, luthier, guitar player and so much more.
He was an adventurous soul who lived in many places over the years, from Guam to Newfoundland and several places in between.
In retirement, he lived in Point Roberts for many years with his second wife Cheryl, before moving back to his hometown of Kingman, Arizona in 2019.
He was predeceased by his parents Casey and Mary Lou (Roe), first wife Dee, and sisters Bette Baldwin, Chris Rubio, and Peggy Duey.
He is survived by his second wife Cheryl, siblings Jim Braffet and Nancy Hawkins, children Mark Braffet, Chris Delnat, Mary Braffet, Elizabeth Ratliff, and Robin Pengelly, god-daughter Janey Pratt, stepdaughter Liz Chamberlain, 12 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren, as well as treasured in-laws, nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends.
He is deeply missed.
