Mary Lou's

Apparently the Thurs-Saturday thing wasn't generating enough revenue for Mary Lou's on S. Illinois as I see the restaurant has closed up until the end of July. I guess they figure that virus spread will have peaked and that they can go back to more regular seating.

El Greco Location

Saw workmen cleaning out the old El Greco's location. From what I have heard, another cannabis shop plans to go in there. Not sure if it will sell marijuana consumables, ala Consume Cannabis, or Hemp & More, but having another cannabis focused shop coming into town certainly shows there is a lot of interest in the product.

Consume Cannabis

Not surprisingly, the word has gotten out about Consume Cannabis. Saw a line of half a dozen people waiting to get inside the Carbondale location yesterday. Pretty small compared to the block long lines I have seen waiting to get into the Marion facility but expect that will pick up as word gets around.

Varsity 80th Anniversary

In case you are free sometime between 1 and 10 today, there is an 80th anniversary celebration and fundraiser taking place at the Varsity Center for the Arts today. Looks as if most of the activity will take place in the lobby and under the marquee outside.

Consume Cannibis

Consume Cannabis Carbondale opened for business today in the old Newel House location . Unlike the Harboury location in Marion (now renamed Consume Cannabis as well), there is no medicinal component at this location so those with prescriptions will still have to travel there. Strictly recreational consumption at the Carbondale location. Given that I have read that some 40-60% of Marion's business comes from out of state, and given that Carbondale will not have to give priority to those with prescriptions, I expect to see out of town traffic increase to this location

Country Goddess building

Looks as if the old Country Goddess building at the corner of Illinois and College has finally rented. The white exterior has been painted a turquoise blue this week and it looks as if remodeling is taking place inside.

This looks a lot more certain than the coffee shop that had planned to go in there a couple of years ago. That made it no further than an occupancy permit on the front door before quietly vanishing.

Shuttered Businesses

Both the Family Hair Center at the corner of Walnut and Illinois and Studio Day Spa on S. Illinois, have shuttered their doors. There is a For Lease sign on the Studio Day Spa building while all of the signage from the front of Family Hair Center has been removed. I have heard that Studio Day Spa moved to a different location in town, possibly on Grand Ave but am not sure.