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."
Saturday, May 25 2013 9:17 PM EDT2013-05-26 01:17:14 GMT
Windsor and Detroit officials have submitted a bid to host Wrestlemania in 2015 and/or 2016. It has become one of the biggest sports entertainment events in the country.
Windsor and Detroit officials have submitted a bid to host Wrestlemania in 2015 and/or 2016. It has become one of the biggest sports entertainment events in the country. Wrestlemania is the SuperBowl of sports and entertainment.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:48 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:48:42 GMT
Trained Salvation Army counselors are being mobilized to head down to the tornado disaster area in Oklahoma to not only help with the victims, but the first responders, as well.
Trained Salvation Army counselors are being mobilized to head down to the tornado disaster area in Oklahoma to not only help with the victims, but the first responders, as well.
Saturday, May 25 2013 9:17 PM EDT2013-05-26 01:17:14 GMT
Windsor and Detroit officials have submitted a bid to host Wrestlemania in 2015 and/or 2016. It has become one of the biggest sports entertainment events in the country.
Windsor and Detroit officials have submitted a bid to host Wrestlemania in 2015 and/or 2016. It has become one of the biggest sports entertainment events in the country. Wrestlemania is the SuperBowl of sports and entertainment.
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:29 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:29:51 GMT
A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:58 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:58:44 GMT
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:18 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:18:53 GMT
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:34 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:34:36 GMT
The pediatrician called him a big baby, his parents believed their boy was genetically destined to be obese, but he proved them all wrong. One day, he made a critical decision and became a weight loss winner.
The pediatrician called him a big baby, his parents believed their boy was genetically destined to be obese, but he proved them all wrong. One day, he made a critical decision and became a weight loss winner.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:54 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:54:08 GMT
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:06 PM EDT2013-05-24 23:06:29 GMT
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, an institution for generations of University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, is about to undergo a historic change of address.
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, an institution for generations of University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, is about to undergo a historic change of address.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:54:49 GMT
Gleaming stainless steel circa 1975 provides the once futuristic setting for Southfield's best-kept secret -- Anthony's Coney Cafe inside the IBM building at Nine Mile and Southfield Road.
Gleaming stainless steel circa 1975 provides the once futuristic setting for Southfield's best-kept secret -- Anthony's Coney Cafe inside the IBM building at Nine Mile and Southfield Road.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:31 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:31:37 GMT
A home explosion in Royal Oak back in February killed a man and damaged dozens of houses. Now some homeowners are complaining that insurance companies are making repairs difficult.
A home explosion in Royal Oak back in February killed a man and damaged dozens of houses. Now some homeowners are complaining that insurance companies are making repairs difficult.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:52 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:52:39 GMT
Alan Lee asks Wallace if the subject of Viagara will 'come up' in Wallace's scheduled interview with former Senator Bob Dole. Wallace responds, "Comes up, really that's what you're going to say?"
Alan Lee asks Wallace if the subject of Viagara will 'come up' in Wallace's scheduled interview with former Senator Bob Dole. Wallace responds, "Comes up, really that's what you're going to say?"
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