Detroit, MI
Lions home playoffs bring economic boost to Detroit
Detroit restaurants look forward to another Lions playoff game
The Rams vs. Lions game on Jan. 14 was a huge economic boost; similar is expected for this Sunday’s playoff between the Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
DETROIT (FOX 2) – The Lions are bringing big bucks to Downtown Detroit, boosting the local economy.
According to the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, a home NFL playoff game brings about $20 million to the city.
The Rams vs. Lions game on Jan. 14 was a huge economic boost; similar is expected for this Sunday’s playoff between the Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Yet, Anderson Economic Group anticipates Sunday’s playoff will actually bring Detroit over $50 million – accounting for spending and indirect impact.
As January tends to be a slow period for restaurants, the economic impact of the Rams vs. Lions game on Jan. 14 was substantial; a similar boost is anticipated for this Sunday’s playoff between the Lions and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Now, restaurants and bars are anticipating the crowds once again and finalizing their game plans.
In Greektown, business is heating up.
“We have to hire double the people now… more staff, more entertainment, so it’s revenue for everyone,” said Yanni Dionisopoulos, the co-owner of Golden Fleece Restaurant, Delux Bar & Lounge, and several other businesses in Greektown.
“City needs that revenue, businesses need that revenue, people need that revenue,” Dionisopoulos added. “So, it’s an amazing thing.”
Down the street at Astoria Bakery, they are also excited for another playoff game.
“Last week it was pretty crazy,” said Tommy Teftsis, the owner of the bakery. “It was a late game, it was cold, but people were still out… business was great.”
Floridians will be all over the city this weekend as the Tampa Bay Lightning is also in Detroit, battling the Red Wings the same day the Lions and Bucs face off – with one getting a step closer to the Super Bowl.
“All of a sudden on social media you see all these people going to all these different bars. A few of my favorites, like Tin Roof around here, are just absolutely packed to the brim,” said Matt Wilson, who enjoys visiting Downtown Detroit. “What I loved is that the cold weather last Sunday didn’t keep the fans from coming down here and spending money.”
The only thing better than seeing all that money being raked in is witnessing so much spirit being shown in Honolulu Blue jerseys.
“I just love to see everyone together,” Teftsis said. “It’s just awesome.”
Many people in the business community say this sets Detroit up nicely for the NFL Draft days, which is in exactly 100 days.
Photos by FOX 2 Photog Scott Federspiel
DETROIT (FOX 2) – A 16-year-old moped driver was hospitalized after a crash on Detroit’s west side on Wednesday night.
The backstory:
Detroit police say the teen disregarded a stop sign while going east on Vassar when he collided with a vehicle turning south on Outer Drive at about 9:30 p.m.
Photos by FOX 2 Photog Scott Federspiel
The boy was taken to a nearby hospital where he is listed in critical condition. The driver of the car, a woman in her 30s, was not injured.
The Source: Information for this report is from Detroit police.
Watch FOX 2 Detroit Live:
Chickens and geese that went missing from a local nonprofit’s Detroit site were found in the backyard of a nearby home, the director of operations said Wednesday.
The Full Circle Foundation, a Grosse Point Park-based nonprofit, said more than a dozen chickens and geese were believed stolen from a chicken coop on Detroit’s east side that also features the Full Circle Edible Garden.
The nonprofit provides training and job opportunities for young people with special needs.
Neighbors who learned from news reports about the missing flock found the “chickens were being held in the backyard of a vacant home not far from the Full Circle Edible Garden,” said Stephanie DiVirgil, director of operations. She said Ribbon Farm 4-H owns the flock.
“The homeowner was contacted, and she reached out to Full Circle to confirm,” said DiVirgil. “We were able to retrieve all of the chickens and geese that were found on the property, 19 in total.”
The foundation and Ribbon Farms 4-H are working to secure the site, including cameras, fencing and lights.
“We will likely start a fundraising campaign to have these items installed,” DiVirgil said. “We’ve gotten amazing support from the community, including offers to help pay for these additional security measures.”
DETROIT (WXYZ) — Human remains were found in a furnace of an home on Detroit’s west side, the Detroit Police Department tells us.
The remains was found by an individual working on the home in the 5200 block of S Clarendon just after 11 a.m.
Anyone with information can call 313-596-2260 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-SpeakUp.
Stay with WXYZ.com for updates on this developing story.
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