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 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.
Saturday, June 1 2013 9:28 PM EDT2013-06-02 01:28:52 GMT
Thousands of country music fans are flocking to the D this weekend for the annual Downtown Hoedown.
Thousands of country music fans are flocking to the D this weekend for the annual Downtown Hoedown. The city is filled with cowboy hat-wearing spectators for the 31st annual event on the grounds of Comerica Park.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:31 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:31:06 GMT
Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
As Kevyn Orr tries to solve Detroit's financial crisis, he is also working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:43:12 GMT
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:36:35 GMT
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
Monday, June 17 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 20:56:42 GMT
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
