One suffered a major fire but rebuilt business after relocating and the others are extending a serious problem in Ypsilanti Township. Here are our picks for a winner and loser from last week's business news:

We’re seeing devastating fires this winter, including two fatal residential fires in Washtenaw County in the last couple of weeks. One blaze that affected commercial property tore through Ziebart on Carpenter Road in early January, halting all of its operations. However, within just weeks, the business had relocated to temporary quarters in Ypsilanti Township and saw an uptick in sales. That’s the best outcome possible after a fire destroys a business, and we’re pleased to see the speed and success of the relocation.

The Ypsilanti Township townhouse complex is a disaster - and it was allowed to fall into such significant disrepair that many units are inhabitable. All of this happened while some owners of multiple units continued to operate them as investment properties and presumably both collected rent and held responsibility for the condition of the property, either individually or by membership in the homeowner association. This property now sits as blight and a drain on the township and county resources. That these homeowners are fighting officials in their lawsuit to remediate the problems just perpetuates the situation. The owners have been irresponsible. Let’s hope the courts agree.