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Businesses Struggling Without NBA Games

AUBURN HILLS (WWJ) - Businesses around the Palace of Auburn Hills are paying close attention to the NBA labor talks to determine the fate of the season -- and their livelihoods.

Daryl Krause, general manager of the Post Bar on Lapeer Road, says he's been losing staff in recent weeks given the uncertainty of the Pistons' season.

"There's all the, uh, not just the players, but the people that work at the Palace who live in the area; they're not getting the hours that they need, so they're not coming out to the bars or the restaurants and eating and drinking as much as they would if there was a season, so the trickle down is staggering."

Krause is hoping for at least an abbreviated season that could begin after Christmas.

Jim Alan, owner of Hoops Sports Bar and Grill on Opdyke told WWJ he is watching the talks closely.

"If there's no season it will be quite a dagger, I would think," Alan said. "We depend on the Pistons and everything at the Palace and there has not been a lot of activity up there, especially since Mr. Davidson (Piston's owner) died ... and we hope they get it going."

Alan said he was down to half his normal staff even before the lockout.

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