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, May 14 2013 8:11 PM EDT2013-05-15 00:11:24 GMT
16-year-old Destiny Henderson, a student at Inkster High School, died Monday in a horrific traffic accident. Her car stopped at a light was hit from behind by a bus.
16-year-old Destiny Henderson, a student at Inkster High School, died Monday in a horrific traffic accident. Her car stopped at a light was hit from behind by a bus.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:24 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:24:48 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
The Detroit Red Wings look to go up 2-1 in their second-round series tonight when they face the top-seeded Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena. The Red Wings evened the series at 1-all with a 4-1 victory on Saturday.
Monday, May 20 2013 6:10 AM EDT2013-05-20 10:10:15 GMT
A trip to Subway turned into a nightmare for an elderly Berkley couple Friday afternoon in Commerce Township. Oakland County Sheriffs say a man left his 74-year-old wife in the car, while he ran inside
A trip to Subway turned into a nightmare for an elderly Berkley couple Friday afternoon in Commerce Township. Oakland County Sheriffs say a man left his 74-year-old wife in the car, while he ran inside
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:08 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:08:52 GMT
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
