NORTHVILLE, Mich. (WXYZ) — Monday marks exactly five years since the first case of COVID-19 broke out in Michigan. Since then, Michigan’s restaurant industry has faced challenges, with some restaurants closing their doors forever.
Tara Young is the proud owner of 44 Burrito in Lathrup Village, specializing in Mexican food with her own special soul food twist. Young works long hours and helps out with every job behind the scenes, because she has to.
“Finding employees is very, very difficult,” she said.
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Owner of 44 Burrito, Tara Young
Like many restaurants, Young struggled during the pandemic. She opened up 44 Burrito about 12 years ago out of her love and passion for cooking. She says the last five have been the most difficult.
“A lot of nights, I think about throwing in the towel,” she said.
Not finding workers and the rising costs of food are just a few of the reasons why Young is thinking of closing her doors for good. And she’s not the only one.
WXYZ
44 Burrito in Lathrup Village
“COVID’s had a long tail. It’s five years later and we are still seeing restaurant closures that tie themselves to the challenges post-COVID,” Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association President and CEO Justin Winslow said.
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According to the MRLA, over 2,000 restaurants closed down in Michigan directly related to the difficulties during and after the pandemic. But being able to adapt has helped. That includes having outdoor dining options.
“One day, my owner came up to me and said ‘hey, I got a great idea for next year. Let’s have igloos.’ And it kind of snowballed from there,” the manager of Deadwood Bar and Grill in Northville, Lee Opalewski, said.
WXYZ
Deadwood Bar & Grill waitress with customers
Deadwood Bar and Grill came up with their igloo idea in 2018 but continue it to this day after seeing how helpful and successful they were during the pandemic. They also continue carry-out alcohol, something stemming from COVID-19 restrictions in 2020.
Many restaurants across metro Detroit have continued outdoor dining and igloos well after the pandemic. Many social districts have also remained.
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“No matter what, we’re gonna adapt, we’re gonna try to figure out something else to do. People want to be together and have these experiences where they can dine and enjoy each other’s company,” Opalewski added.
Now the hope is that despite all the hurdles, the restaurant industry bounces back by getting younger generations excited about the craft. Winslow says this year’s Michigan ProStart Competition in Battle Creek, where high school students participate in a culinary arts competition, is a good indicator.
The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA)
The Michigan ProStart Competition
“We have a record number of students right now from across Michigan: 700 students. That is almost twice as many as we had just a couple of years ago competing. That means that there’s passion and desire to be in this industry, because these are the future leaders,” Winslow said.
SHELBY TOWNSHIP, Mich. – A Shelby Township woman stopped for some pizza and a Michigan Lottery ticket during her lunch break. Then, she won a $822,159 Club Keno The Jack prize.
Sue Strong, 65, matched her easy pick The Jack number, 10-26-33-50-56-58-60-67-70, to nine of the 20 Club Keno numbers that were drawn in draw 2569809, according to the Michigan Lottery.
“I regularly play Club Keno, and I always add The Jack to my ticket,” said Strong. “I went out and bought a Club Keno ticket and pizza on my lunch break and then watched the drawings on my phone while I ate. When I saw all my The Jack numbers come in and the jackpot reset to $10,000, I was shocked! It was nerve wracking and exciting, and to be honest, I’ve hardly slept since!”
The lucky player purchased her winning ticket at Party Palace Liquor Inc., at 49133 Schoenherr Road in Shelby Township.
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She plans to share her prize money with her family, pay bills and then save the rest.
This is the largest The Jack prize a player has ever won on the Club Keno game.
The previous record was set in March 2025, when a player won $677,141 from a ticket purchased at JP’s Trolley Stop in Taylor.
The Jack is an optional add-on to a Club Keno ticket that costs $1 per draw.
When playing The Jack, participants receive nine quick-pick numbers and try to match them with the numbers drawn in Club Keno. Prizes range from $1 up to the jackpot, which begins at $10,000 and increases until claimed. To hit the jackpot, all nine numbers must be matched.
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Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
Check Daily Keno payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from Feb. 26 drawing
03-14-22-50-57, Bonus: 04
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Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes up to $99,999.99, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Michigan Lottery’s Regional Offices.
To claim by mail, complete a ticket receipt form, sign your winning ticket, and send it along with original copies of your government-issued photo ID and Social Security card to the address below. Ensure the names on your ID and Social Security card match exactly. Claims should be mailed to:
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Michigan Lottery
Attn: Claim Center
101 E. Hillsdale
P.O. Box 30023
Lansing, MI 48909
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For prizes over $100,000, winners must claim their prize in person at the Michigan Lottery Headquarters in Lansing located at 101 E. Hillsdale in downtown Lansing. Each winner must present original versions of a valid government-issued photo ID (typically a driver’s license or state ID) and a Social Security card, ensuring that the names on both documents match exactly. To schedule an appointment, please call the Lottery Player Relations office at 844-887-6836, option 2.
If you prefer to claim in person at one of the Michigan Lottery Regional Offices for prizes under $100,000, appointments are required. Until further notice, please call 1-844-917-6325 to schedule an appointment. Regional office locations are as follows:
Lansing: 101 E. Hillsdale St. Lansing; Phone: 844-917-6325
Detroit: Cadillac Place, 3060 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-600, Detroit; Phone: 844-917-6325
Grand Rapids: 3391-B Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids; Phone: 844-917-6325
Saginaw: Jerome T. Hart State Office Building, 411 E. Genesee Ave., Saginaw; Phone: 844-917-6325
For additional information, downloadable forms, and instructions, visit the Michigan Lottery’s prize claim page.
When are Michigan Lottery drawings held?
Daily 3 & Daily 4: Midday at 12:59 p.m., Evening at 7:29 p.m.
Fantasy 5: 7:29 p.m. daily
Poker Lotto: 7:29 p.m. daily
Lotto 47: 7:29 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily
Daily Keno: 7:29 p.m. daily
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Michigan editor. You can send feedback using this form.
MV-22 Osprey and P-51 Jack Aces featured performers
USAF F-16, painted in red, white, and blue in celebration of America 250. (Staff Sgt. Steven Cardo, Thunder Over Michigan)
YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Thunder Over Michigan is returning to Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti to celebrate the semiquincentennial under the theme “Stars, Stripes, and 250 Years Strong.”
Taking place July 17-19, this year’s show will be headlined by the U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demo Team with the F-16C Fighting Falcon, plus the U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey, the P-51 Jack Aces Demo Teams, historic warbirds and aerobatic acts.
Aligning with national America 250 activities marking the Declaration of Independence, over three days Thunder Over Michigan will honor the armed forces, veterans and the nation’s founding.
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To buy tickets or learn more, visit the official Thunder Over Michigan website.
Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
About the Author
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Dane Kelly
Dane Kelly is an Oreo enthusiast and producer who has spent the last seven years covering Michigan news and stories.
