There probably have been some changes in Carbondale since the last time you were here -- even if it wasn't that long ago. Depending on when you left, you may or may not find the places you remember. And some of you may remember places I never even knew about, since I was away for thirty years!
Here's a list of some of the more noticeable changes to the Carbondale landscape since 1970!
GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
Lincoln Junior High School is g-o-n-e, as in knocked down and hauled away!
Booby's has gone out of business.
Kaleidoscope has gone out of business!
Hangar Nine burned down, but is now under construction!
The Baptist Church on the corner of Main St. and Illinois Ave. moved to Giant City Road in a brand new building.
Mugsy McGuire's is no more! A new Walgreen's is under construction in that location.
The Hallmark store in Murdale is gone.
The Kroger on the West Side of town is gone.
Crustado's is gone.
MOVED
Pagliai's Pizza has moved -- to the other side of the old Hangar Nine location -- so now it's right across from the Dairy Queen on the north side of the new Hangar Nine.
The Subway on West Main has moved to the old Hardee's on the other side of the street.
EXPANDED
The Apple Tree gift shop is still in the same location, but there is a new owner, and it's expanded!
NEW
Comfort Inn has built just across the street from the Holiday Inn/Houlihan's (where our dinner will be on Saturday night -- Holiday Inn, not Comfort Inn.)
Buffalo Wild Wings is located on East Main, just past Giant City Road.
South from the intersection of Hwy. 13 and Giant City Road there have been some additions in recent years including - Moe's Southwest Grill, Fujiyama Japanese Steak House (and Sushi too!) and Kohl's.
There's a mini Starbuck's in Kroger on Giant City Road.
In the area around The Mall has turned into a fast food crossroads - restaurants are Steak & Shake, Garfield's in the mall, Applebee's, and Panera (hooray!), Burger King and Moe's Southwest Grill.
The shopping area across from The Mall now has Barnes & Noble with a Starbuck's (hooray!), Best Buy and Dick's Sporting Goods, Aldi's and Chili's Grill & Bar is under construction, as well as longtime residents Walmart, Taco Bell, McDonald's, Arby's, Subway and Long John Silver. There's also Lowe's and Hobby Lobby (hooray!) And there's a T J Maxx under construction in that area too!
The historic Town Square area is still lively -- places to eat are old and new like The Newell House, Tres Hombres, Global Gourmet, the Longbranch and Thai Taste. There's also an art gallery, Art Lovers Trading Company, next to the Newell House. The Co-Op has moved to the west side of town.
The Co-Op is now located in the Murdale Shopping Center, in the former location of the old Woolworth's of our childhood.
Larry's House of Cakes (from Marion) has opened a new location in the old Crustado's space.
The Carbondale Farmer's Market is still going strong in the Westown Shopping Center parking lot. It's open on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. - noon. If you are looking for people you know, it's the place to see and be seen!
West of Carbondale, at the intersection of Country Club Road and Hwy. 13 is a new Walmart -- yeah, one was not enough! It's technically in Murphysboro, so they sell liquor in the store -- which is still a no-no in C'dale.
The Varsity Theater is home to Stage Company, the live community theater group.
STILL GOING STRONG!
The Dairy Queen
Italian Village
Denny's
710 Bookstore
Quatro's
The Giant City Lodge
Arnold's Market
El Greco
Gatsby's
Midland Inn
Mississippi Flyway
Tom's Place in DeSoto
Tres Hombres
Pinch Penny Pub
Sidetracks
17th Street Barbecue in Murphysboro & Marion
