RIP George Sheffer

 Civic leader, and owner of Murdale True Value for over 30 years,  George Sheffer passed away in his sleep this past Friday night. I got to know George first as a lay minister at St. Francis Xavier church where he was active as a lector and eucharistic minister and later when he started the paw painting program through the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce. In more recent years, he had acted in an advisory capacity to the city, drawing on his decades of business experience.

I last saw George at reconciliation/confession during Holy Week before and he looked in good health and spirits then.  A friend saw him and Diane, his wife for those who do not know the family, during mass on the 19th and said he looked fine as well.

Update:  here is George's obituary from Meredith  Funeral Home

Cricket

 Cricket, the wireless phone service provider, has shuttered its offices at the corner of Illinois and Mill and relocated to Murdale Shopping Center, in the old Radio Shack location. I guess the plan to take advantage of the student traffic next door in Evolve did not pan out. In fact, that end of Illinois has quite a few empty storefronts compared to the northern end

El Paisano

 Looks as if El Paisano is moving closer to re-opening in the old Mississippi Flyway location. There is now a banner out front announcing "Opening Soon".

Cricket

Looks as if the Cricket wireless seller is moving into the old Radio Shack location in Murdale Shopping Center. Not sure if they have closed the S. Illinois location or not.

Ex Chamber Head Has New Gig

Ex-Carbondale Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Les O'Dell has opened Two Beans and a Bug in Murdale Shopping Center, as a resale shop and resource center for foster parents.

Varughese Trial Starts

Haven't heard much about the Pravin Varughese case in recent months. The trial started quietly earlier this month with the prosecution turning over to Gaege Bethune's attorneys a number of social media posts, giving evidence to Bethune's state of mind at the time of the death.

Dale's Burger Shack

Even with its grand opening a month away, according to this story, Dale's Burger Shack is doing very well. Even though competitor Fat Patties is recognized as one of the best burger places in the state, its downtown location hurts it significantly. Dale's Burger Shack's location in Murdale Shopping Center gives it access to both plenty of parking and two way traffic on Highway 13.

Fat Patties' downtown location, especially with the construction in downtown, has no readily accessible parking. Its most convenient parking is located behind the building and needs much bigger signage to call customer attention to it. In addition, it is located on a one way street, so that people heading south have to deal with the intersection of Hwy 51 and Mill Stree

Radio Shack Closing

The "Store Closing" banner hanging in front of the Murdale Radio Shack would indicate that the store has finally succumbed to the closing virus to which most of the rest of the chain has surrendered..

Empty Bowls

While you are particpating in Safe Halloween at Murdale Shopping Center on Nov. 1:

The Neighborhood Co-op Grocery and the SIU Ceramics Program are joining to create an event to give back to the community. Empty Bowls are “art for your table” and “food for the community.”  The sales of the bowls will be donated to the Good Samaritan House of Carbondale.

Empty Bowls takes place on Saturday, November 1, 2014 at the Neighborhood Co-op Grocery. 

The hand made bowls are being crafted by students and faculty at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Pattie Chalmers, Associate Professor of Ceramics at the School of Art and Design states:

“My idea with this project is to combine a lesson in community participation with a lesson about the hand made objects and most importantly give a little assistance to individuals in need.”

The Co-op will fill the bowls with one of our delicious soups. The soup can be enjoyed on site in our community room.  A family friendly event, everyone is welcome!

True Value Re-Opening

According to this, all the re-modeling at Murdale True-Value should be completed by April 13.  However, I understand they have to redo the floor tile first as it appears some moisture is seeming up from below.

New Gift Shop

In case you missed this story, a new gift shop, Brighten Your Days, opened up shortly before Mother's Day in Murdale Shopping Center.  Looks as if it will give west side stalwart, The Apple Tree, some competition.  In fact, the Apple Tree has put up a streetside banner to draw attention to the store, something the business has never done in the past.

Smoke House

A new business, The Smoke House, looks to open soon in Murdale Shopping Center. From the sign in the window, it promises to offer discount cigarettes and tobacco. Going to be interesting to see how they compete with the even more discounted cigarettes just across the border in Kentucky. I know of a number of people willing to make the two hour round trip for the cheaper smokes.

Tequila's

Haven't been by there myself, but according to this, Tequila's has moved into the the spot formerly occupied by Mi Pueblito behind the Murdale Shopping Center.