Some Stay Open, Some Close: How the Dream Cruise Affects Businesses

The brings thousands and thousands of people to Ferndale. They walk the streets, put lawn chairs in the median and watch cars drive up and down Woodward all weekend long.

But what does that do for businesses in Ferndale?

"I actually helps us 'cause of the outside dining," owner of Michael Hennes said. "They sit outside to enjoy the cruise, or people can come inside to get away from the cruise."

Restaurant and bar owners, especially those with patios, say they see an uptick in business.

"Generally we do quite well," said Jimmy Dowdle, a bartender at who has worked five Dream Cruises. "The patio and bar is full the entire time."

The story is the same for the . "We're typically busy," general manager Emily Husband said.

But the Woodward Dream Cruise does seem to bring in a whole new clientele.

"It's an influx of new customers and that's a good thing to have," said Dean Bach, owner of . "New customers coming into your place."

Ferndale restaurant and bar owners say the regular customers generally stay away. 

"You don't see many regulars," Hennes said. "But if my regulars enjoy the Cruise, they'll come here. I think most of them get out of town (during the Cruise), though."

The case is the same for the Emory.

"It's a busy day for us. We see a lot of new faces, new people coming to breakfast," Husband said. "I think (the Cruise) does scare away the regulars."

Bach, who also said he does well during the Dream Cruise and has been around for nine of them, said the classic car weekend is an opportunity for business.

"I try to attach myself to it. We'll have 100,000 people walking around Ferndale. This is an opportunity to showcase your place," he said. "We give them a reason to walk in from the street. ... Sure people will come in to use the bathroom, but maybe we can sell 'em a beer or two."

Bach said Dino's has put together a special Woodward Dream Cruise menu that features what he calls the Daddy-O Burger. "There's a grilled cheese inside the burger," he said.

But not every business will attract a cruiser. Some businesses in Ferndale have cut hours this weekend and will completely close the official day of the Cruise.

"We just don't do any business," said Joe Verran, an employee at on Woodward Avenue, which will not be open Saturday. "People aren't coming down to buy vitamins."

Next door, will also close. But Hair Studio 9 stylist Cathy Walker doesn't mind.

"There's no business, but also I don't want to work on the Dream Cruise; I want to be down here, enjoying the cars!" she said.

"I don't have a problem with the Dream Cruise at all. We just don't do any business. No one wants a hair cut and if they do, they're probably drunk!"