Carbondale's historic Hundley House, now a bed and breakfast secured the approval Monday of the Liquor Advisory Board in its quest for the ability to serve alcohol to their overnight guests.
For the history of the effort check out this post from earlier this summer.
The Daily Egyptian has the current story.
In other news from the "Athens of Egypt" as Carbondale was heralded a century ago, DiMaggio Pizza, a little known pizzeria tucked away among the student housing east of campus will soon move to a larger and more visible location in the former Godfather Pizza restaurant on Route 13 at 1030 W. Walnut St.
It too secured approval from the Liquor Advisory Board for a license. The new location will include an expanded Italian menu.
Meanwhile Chili's restaurant continues its construction in front of Dick's Sporting Goods in the old K-mart parking lot across from the University Mall.
STAR Bonds District Boundaries On Display
The proposed new STAR Bonds District map went on display today at City Hall in Marion (but not online as one might expect in the 21st Century).
View Marion STAR Bonds District in a larger map
The boundary is less than the 500 acres maximum and is closer to 400 acres I think. It includes the 43.52 acre-tract behind Menards, but I can't remember if it included the 3 acre outlot immediately to the east (Lot C). Marion Heights LLC is planning on keeping at least two of the outlots to sell themselves on either side of Stadium Drive between Blue Herons Drive and Morgan Avenue.
On the east side of the interstate the district includes almost all the land north of Morgan up to Longstreet, then east to about a quarter mile east of Russell Street, except it does not include the residential area north of Morgan in the trailer park, up Peabody Lane, Emery and Cash Streets.
On Russell Street the district does not begin until north of the Northernaire subdivision and the homes along Cox Street.
The map and legal description will remain on display at City Hall for at least a week before the council officially approves it, which I'm assuming will take place next Monday.
Meanwhile, the Illinois Department of Revenue has posted its proposed rules for regulating the STAR Bonds District. As expected based on their public statements, the rules are even more restrictive than the legislation itself, though for the most part they seem reasonable.
Read them yourself and offer comments at the Department of Revenue STAR Bonds website.
View Marion STAR Bonds District in a larger map
The boundary is less than the 500 acres maximum and is closer to 400 acres I think. It includes the 43.52 acre-tract behind Menards, but I can't remember if it included the 3 acre outlot immediately to the east (Lot C). Marion Heights LLC is planning on keeping at least two of the outlots to sell themselves on either side of Stadium Drive between Blue Herons Drive and Morgan Avenue.
On the east side of the interstate the district includes almost all the land north of Morgan up to Longstreet, then east to about a quarter mile east of Russell Street, except it does not include the residential area north of Morgan in the trailer park, up Peabody Lane, Emery and Cash Streets.
On Russell Street the district does not begin until north of the Northernaire subdivision and the homes along Cox Street.
The map and legal description will remain on display at City Hall for at least a week before the council officially approves it, which I'm assuming will take place next Monday.
Meanwhile, the Illinois Department of Revenue has posted its proposed rules for regulating the STAR Bonds District. As expected based on their public statements, the rules are even more restrictive than the legislation itself, though for the most part they seem reasonable.
Read them yourself and offer comments at the Department of Revenue STAR Bonds website.
Prairie Berries to make a pitch on the Dragon's Den
Just heard through the grapevine... Saskatchewan's Prairie Berries is apparently to make a pitch on the popular Dragon's Den CBC television show. I look forward to finding out what pitch they have in mind. The company describes Saskatoons as a kind of ‘Superfruit’:
"The word ‘Superfruit’ refers to fruit which contains high sources of antioxidants. From a nutraceutical perspective, antioxidant rich fruits have anti-cancer, anti-aging, and anti-heart problem effects on human body. The benefits of antioxidant have contributed against cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, and act as a protective guard to our immune systems."
The health merits of Saskatoons have been known for hundreds of years. Their pulp has been exported to countries like England as fruit filling. Will the Dragons buy into the success these Saskatchewan entrepreneurs have been enjoying in recent times?
We will see. I wish them well because local bounty initiatives like this make a difference not only in diversifying local agricultural products, it also helps profile Saskatchean as a tourism destination worthy of discovery.
Motor coach travel product market keeps growing
There no more valuable knowledge than that of consumer preferences. You may or may not know that WestWorld Tours is already the most successful tour operator in the province in terms of volume, with annual passenger figures in the 4-digit range, originating from across North America. It its efforts to lead the way in motorcoach travel experiences, my WestWorld colleagues and I are asking clients for new destination and trip ideas. If you know regular coach travellers or if you are one yourself, let us know what future journeys are on your radar.... whether you are thinking or Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, the U.S., Australia or South America. Bear in mind that we are looking for trip ideas with demonstrated revenue-generating potential, of course.
Your thoughts may well be developed into new trips!
Millennium Developers Meet with Wineries
Representatives from the Millennium Development coming to Marion, state Reps. John Bradley and Mike Bost, and area winery owners met together to discuss how they could work together.
Today's Southern Illinoisan has the story.
If they could have only invited the regional tourism director to the meeting. Oh, we don't have one due to the state's budget crisis.
Today's Southern Illinoisan has the story.
If they could have only invited the regional tourism director to the meeting. Oh, we don't have one due to the state's budget crisis.