The "Alte Zollstraße" (Old Customs Road) once bore the nickname "Banana Boulevard". As early as in the years after 1920, the forerunners of the border-trade were doing good business here. Later, in the period after 1945, many Danes crossed the border in order to stock up at the numerous "banana stalls" along the Alte Zollstraße, as the tropical fruits were still rare in Denmark at the time. Also, sweets and other products that were more expensive and heavier on duty in the Kingdom were offered here. A similar “movement” would occur in the opposite direction, as shopping trips from Germany to Denmark, were so popular at times, they were nicknamed as pilgrimages. In 1958, the so-called "butter battle" occurred, when up to 10 kg of particularly high-quality but cheap butter was allowed to be imported from Denmark into Germany per person. People travelled hither from all over the country, especially as the boat trips came to be a great leisure event. Sugar was also in great demand. Consequently, long queues of shopping tourists formed at the customs checks.
