Checking in with Metro Detroit businesses that have been hit hard by COVID-19 shutdown

Help Me Hank returns to businesses after two months

CLAWSON, Mich. – The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been a crushing blow to many small businesses in Metro Detroit. Help Me Hank caught up with some business owners in the area just after the stay-at-home orders were put in place in March, and we checked back in with them this week.

PREVIOUS STORY: Clawson dry cleaner struggles to stay afloat during coronavirus shutdown

To say business has been slow in Metro Detroit would be an understatement.

Dimitri Polychronou, the owner of Earl’s Dry Cleaning in Clawson, sent staff members home in March. Now he’s been running the business by himself.

Help Me Hank checked on Polychronou in March, and he was obviously concerned.

Local 4 also profiled Jerry Millen’s Greenhouse of Walled Lake shortly after the shutdown. Business continues to boom for the marijuana distributor, as curbside pickup keeps the crowds rolling in.

You can hear from Polychronou and Millen in Hank Winchester’s full video above.


About the Authors

Hank Winchester is Local 4’s Consumer Investigative Reporter and the head of WDIV’s “Help Me Hank” Consumer Unit. Hank works to solve consumer complaints, reveal important recalls and track down thieves who have ripped off people in our community.

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.

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