What businesses are needed in Carbondale, IL? (Chicago, Marion: real estate, apartment)

[suchance]

Just tossing around some entrepreneural thoughts about the Carbondale, Il area and wanting to know what the people down there are needing or wanting.

[BLS2753]

Close to the SIU campus, anything that students might want to buy. But the market is full of all types of small shops and eateries. Competition would be stiff for new entrants.

Away from the campus, it's all the usual national chains.

Probably more opportunities in smaller surrounding towns, if you have a unique product or service.

Best advice down in these parts, is to offer something Walmart doesn't sell or do.

[TrixxiSpumoni]

Is there a music store in this area which sells new and/or used guitars?

[BLS2753]

Originally Posted by TrixxiSpumoni

Is there a music store in this area which sells new and/or used guitars?

Most likely, as SIU has 25,000 students, many fitting into the guitar buying demographic.

Seems easier to search online, unless a guitar aficiando happens to wonder through this forum..

[suchance]

I'm familar with the town, but I was thinking about things like speciality resturants, mail boxes etc. dry cleaners, GOOD laundry services, the day to day stuff you need and find it's not available in Carbondale, and you have to run to Marian. Something thats needed by the students, but when the college kids go home, its' still needed by the locals. How about a Swimming Pool facility! Unless you pay to go to the SIU rec or go to the lake, your out of luck. Come on anything else you can think of?

[BLS2753]

Originally Posted by suchance

I'm familar with the town, but I was thinking about things like speciality resturants, mail boxes etc. dry cleaners, GOOD laundry services, the day to day stuff you need and find it's not available in Carbondale, and you have to run to Marian. Something thats needed by the students, but when the college kids go home, its' still needed by the locals. How about a Swimming Pool facility! Unless you pay to go to the SIU rec or go to the lake, your out of luck. Come on anything else you can think of?

Real estate is so cheap here, most people of any means, have some sort of pool at their home. What towns that do have public pools, you wouldn't want your kids swimming there.

Most businesses in these parts are subject to failure. Other than the occasional new bar or restaurant, there's not much success here.

[Ethanandjulie]

I am considering moving to the area. How is the night life? Are there good bars that offer entertainment? What kind of bars are represented and doing well? Country, Rock and Roll, Hip Hop (I could live without this one)? How about a nice Wine Bar or Brewery?

[tlw]

Carbondale is a rough town for many businesses whether new or existing. SIU is the largest employer and has been losing students since the 1990's. The enrollment was at a high of 25,000 then, got down to 19,000, and is barely 20,000 now and stalled. People in the know will tell you that the 20,000 figure is being fudged too. Town is a ghost town in the summer.
The hospital is the next largest employer. There is no industry there to speak of and the downtown area is rather bleak and not much to it.

However, down the road a few miles on 13 east is where the growth is happening. Herrin, Carterville, and especially Marion .......... which sits on the interstate. Aside from losing their Circuit City distribution center recently, which was not Marion's fault, that town is kinda kicking everyones butt down there.

[lisaka59]

I'm not all that familiar with the correct posting format, so please bear with me. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs, however, my mom grew up in Murphysboro. I have always loved visiting, and some of mom's childhood friends are still in the area. For those who live in Carbondale or the surrounding areas, how do you think a contracting business would fly there? My husband and I have been in the business for four and a half years and find the increased red tape in Chicago to be frustrating. We did live in Minocqua, WI, for four years, so we know that rural areas aren't without their own issues. It's just that he grew up in small western Illinois towns and would really like to get back to his roots. We do have a bit of money stashed away for the transition time, but if there wasn't really a great chance of success, we'd just stay put for now. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[tlw]

I think a new contracting business in Carbondale would be a challenge. As I stated, SIU enrollment has really taken a hit since the early 90's. They are finally taking some steps that other universities in the area have been doing for years in offering instate tuition rates to try to draw students that might attend SEMO, Murray State, Evansville ......... can't remember the entire area the offer covers.

Enrollment has gone down from a high of about 25,000 in the early 90's to 19,000. It is now barely 20,000. Also in that time, the university has built hundreds of new student rental apartment units. Many of those parking lots are pretty empty. In turn, this has the private landlords screaming as they now have a ton of empty units.

There was some construction of what in that area would be considered higher end homes outside the Murphysboro city limits. I'm guessing the economy has slowed that considerably. I feel the potential for new starts is west of Carbondale. Carterville, Herrin, Marion are almost melding into one area with the residential and business construction, though I'm sure they are taking a hit too. John A. Logan College in Carterville has had a huge enrollment increase in the last 10 years and added buildings. Marion, in particular, has been very aggressive in recruiting new businesses to their town. They have had the sense to target real business and not just another box store or chain restaurant there though they have those too. Just north on the interstate from Marion is Rend Lake State Park which is a wonderful facility, and also very active in their marketing especially to St. Louis. Marion also has a relatively new minor league baseball team and stadium. The town in general seems to have quite alot of community drive, plus the interstate is a draw for business.