In response to Google Maps renaming Lake Ontario to Lake America in the U.S., Carson’s Pizzeria in Niagara Falls has adopted a similar strategy for their menu. The decision follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order altering the lake’s name amid rising tensions and a trade conflict. Co-owner Richard Carpenter stated, “If you can rename things for your country, we can do the same here.” As a result, their Buffalo chicken sandwich is now known as the “Ontario wing sauce chicken sandwich.”
Co-owner Jonathon Olszewsky also renamed their Chicago Deep Dish pizza to the “Thorold-style Deep Dish Pizza.” The pizzeria’s Facebook post announcing the change has received positive feedback from Canadians, although Carpenter clarified that the alteration is temporary and humor-driven.
Carson’s Pizzeria is not alone in responding to the name change. Katherine McMichael, owner of Lady Lou Collective in Niagara-on-the-Lake, emphasized that Lake Ontario’s name remains unchanged. McMichael, who curates Canadian-made art and gifts, displays a sign thanking customers for supporting local and Canadian products.
Although the Canada-U.S. trade conflict has had a minimal impact on her business compared to other sectors like automotive, McMichael has stopped shipping orders to the U.S. out of concern for her American customers facing tariffs. Across the street, Shauna Dickson, owner of Irish Design, uses Lake Ontario as a reference point for customers and businesses worldwide to locate her boutique.
Dickson, a native of Niagara-on-the-Lake, expressed personal disappointment over the lake’s name change, noting a shift in interactions with American customers due to heightened bilateral tensions. Despite this, she aims to ensure American patrons feel welcome in her store, emphasizing the importance of hospitality and inclusivity amid strained relations between the two countries.
