I thought that they were building a Culver’s in Carbondale.
I hoped. I dreamed. I dreaded the thought of my empty wallet and overflowing gut.
I was wrong.
There’s an old Dairy Queen at the corner of SR-13 and the road to Emily’s Pad, long closed since there’s a much cuter walk-up DQ on US-51 near the college. It’s been deserted as long as I can remember, but about a month ago painters showed up and transformed the old fading red roof into a blue-and-white masterpiece.
Just like Culvers!
There’s a lot of Northern Illinois influence in Carbondale. Since so many Chicagolanders send their offspring to university here, gyros and Chicago Style Hot Dogs, delicacies rarely found south of Cub Country, are frequent. There’s a different pizza place on every block. The lack of Culvers is quite stunning, especially since the chain has recently moved into the St. Louis area. So for this Wisconsin-based franchise that has propagated quite well through Chicagoland, popping up on that corner would be quite appropriate.
Instead, it’s a quick loan place. Great, just what Southern Illinois needed. More residents deeper in debt. 400% interest rates are totally not fraud, no way.