TEMPERANCE, Mich. — A Michigan business remained closed as the owners watched others a reopen a few miles away over the border. At the same time, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced reopening plans for the northern part of the state.
Now, one of the owners wants to know when southeast Michigan will restart its economy.
Rich Kenny has watched as restaurants just miles from his were allowed to re-open on Friday, but since he's right over the border in Michigan he's still waiting for the go-ahead eight weeks after closing.
"We're not going to be able to survive if we can't get back to some normalcy," Kenny said.
Forest View Lanes has been open for almost 60 years and it's more than just a bowling alley. The local business also serves food and has a fully stocked bar. There's also and sand volleyball courts and property that spans nine acres.
The owner said he's been planning how to safely reopen since March 16.
"I came back that night with a plan on how to come back from this, how to recover from this. At that point thinking it was just going to be two weeks," he said.
Two months later, he and his team are finishing-up extensive renovations. He said he's confident that he can make sure people are spaced out far apart across his nine acres.
Plus, his staff has extra training now.
"Our employees have been through 10, 20 hours of training online. So, we have more than 1,000 hours of training to get our employees ready for the future for safety and for food handling," Kenny said.
Right now, they're set up for carryout and delivery
"We're down 90% in sales right now, so we're nowhere even close to covering," he said.
Right now, Kenny said he just wants to know when Forest View Lanes can reopen and added we can all help by being responsible.
"The businesses, the restaurants that are open in Toledo, show we can do it right. If Toledo shows we can do it right. We've got a better shot in the state of Michigan to get this," he said.
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