PLYMOUTH, Mich. (WJBK) -- In a normal 82 game schedule, local bars, restaurants and businesses can count on 41 dates, not including playoffs, to have the Red Wings play downtown. With the lockout, those businesses were hurting big time.
"Business down, yes, it was down, yes sir," said Ali Alhalmi from Lafayette Coney Island.
"Lockout business-wise has really, really been a killer," said Cobo Joe's General Manager Jimmy Britt.
But when news broke that the season was saved and Hockeytown would host hockey games once again, a collective sigh of relief was let go.
"Very happy, very glad to see them play again," Alhalmi said.
"When I [saw] it... on my phone yesterday morning, I [texted] everybody saying, 'Hey, hockey's back,'" Britt said. "Everybody just [texted] back saying they [were] happy, let's go."
"We [were] hoping this would be done way before it even started back in the summer, even last year when they [were] working on it, but you got to just be happy that they came back."
Earlier on Monday, we caught up with Mike Babcock at Central Catholic High School's hockey practice where he was leading the team. Babcock had this to say regarding the people who depend on hockey for their livelihoods getting back to work.
"A lot of the fans and a lot of the businesses had a tough go, and ideally us getting up and running's going to really help them out," he said. "Once again, I've got to say thanks, thanks for the fans who are sticking with us."
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:26 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:26:33 GMT
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
Tuesday, June 11 2013 8:10 PM EDT2013-06-12 00:10:44 GMT
In a combined effort between police units from Auburn Hills, Troy and Bloomfield Township, officers were cracking down on aggressive driving Tuesday, including speeding, tailgating and improper lane changes.
In a combined effort between police units from Auburn Hills, Troy and Bloomfield Township, officers were cracking down on aggressive driving Tuesday, including speeding, tailgating and improper lane changes.
Monday, June 3 2013 7:42 AM EDT2013-06-03 11:42:33 GMT
The average cost for a gallon of regular gasoline in metro Detroit has topped $4, according to the myFOXDetroit.com Gas Tracker. So what's behind the latest increase?
The average cost for a gallon of regular gasoline in metro Detroit has topped $4, according to the myFOXDetroit.com Gas Tracker. So what's behind the latest increase?
Monday, June 3 2013 6:14 AM EDT2013-06-03 10:14:00 GMT
The nation's leading Arab-American advocacy group has suspended the longtime head of its Michigan office while it investigates allegations that he sexually harassed a number of female staffers.
The nation's leading Arab-American advocacy group has suspended the longtime head of its Michigan office while it investigates allegations that he sexually harassed a number of female staffers, including now-state Rep. Rashida Tlaib.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:03 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:03:28 GMT
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:00 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:00:10 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 5:41 PM EDT2013-06-19 21:41:47 GMT
FBI agents grabbed shovels and combed through dirt and mud in the search for Jimmy Hoffa's remains or clues to the disappearance of the former Teamsters boss. Once again, the search was futile.
For at least the third time in a decade, FBI agents grabbed shovels and combed through dirt and mud in the search for Jimmy Hoffa's remains or clues to the disappearance of the former Teamsters boss. Once again, the search was futile.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:32 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:32:27 GMT
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley has signed a bill giving local governments in Michigan power to restrict the use of fireworks on the day before, during and after a national holiday.
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley has signed a bill giving local governments in Michigan power to restrict the use of fireworks on the day before, during and after a national holiday.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:24 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:24:16 GMT
Kolcraft is recalling more than 96,000 Jeep Liberty strollers after at least 18 people were injured by tire blowouts, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday.
Kolcraft is recalling more than 96,000 Jeep Liberty strollers after at least 18 people were injured by tire blowouts, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:40 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:40:48 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:45 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:45:33 GMT
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
