Close or Stay Open? Area Businesses Split During Dream Cruise

The Woodward Dream Cruise and Birmingham Cruise are nearly upon us, as are the thousands of classic cruisers and nearly a million car buffs from throughout Metro Detroit and the nation.

According to Director John Heiney, tourism activity is definitely up during the Cruise, but whether cruisers will bring in more business or ignore area shops and cafes is a toss-up.

Heiney said nearly all the restaurants and coffee shops in town stay open, with casual restaurants in particular noting that the Dream Cruise is a big day.

In general, Heiney said the Dream Cruise and Birmingham Cruise have a positive impact for many retailers, though many still close the day of the Cruise.

"It's up to each business to evaluate how much benefit they get from the Cruise, but there is no question we have a lot of tourism dollars attached to the event," Heiney said. "The hotels are filled. Most retailers either commit strongly to the Dream Cruise or close up."

Committing to the Cruise are several Woodward-based businesses, Heiney said, such as and , which hold special events the day of the Cruise in order to draw customers inside. Other businesses have spent the past week inviting customers to come out and brave the cruisers.

"Come by foot, bike, skateboard or GTO," reminded its Facebook fans Wednesday. "We'll be here Saturday for all your brunch and coffee needs during the Woodward Dream Cruise and Birmingham Cruise Event."

Some businesses they don't even have to work hard for Dream Cruisers to come their way. "," said Manager Brandon Rump.

, the 59-year-old hamburger diner on Woodward, began Monday and continue Friday with disc jockeys from WOMC-FM from 10 p.m. to closing. Owner Susan Cobb said she plans for the Dream Cruise all year.

“I will begin planning (for next year’s event) the day after the Dream Cruise ends this year, and then we all look forward to it all year long,” Cobb said.

And yet while the decidedly more upscale next door will also be open on Cruise day, offering items from the restaurant's new lunch menu and prime Woodward-viewing real estate from its window tables, many other Birmingham businesses are expecting a dip in foot traffic.

Even some Woodward staples are shutting down early, including the , which is will be closing at 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Other area businesses closing early or completely on Saturday include the , and .

For years, hosted parties for General Motors, Ford and Chrysler executives during the Dream Cruise. However, when the Big Three began cutting back on sponsoring both the Dream Cruise and Birmingham Cruise, 220 began feeling the pinch every Dream Cruise weekend.

"We're not as inundated with guests as we used to be when the Big Three were more involved," said 220 Manager Gina Carmack. "We're off the beaten path about two (blocks) from the Cruise, so we don't feel it as much as other restaurants that may be closer."

According to Bill Roberts, owner of , the Cruise often keeps regulars away.

 "It's a nuisance," said Roberts, also owner of in Royal Oak. "A lot of our regulars stay away." Cruise "tourists," as he calls them, offset the drop. "We do have some newcomers," Roberts said from his office on Woodward in Birmingham. "We're no better, no worse."