Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Illinois and surrounding areas, Carbondale businesses are taking measures to prevent the spread of the virus by having closures or offering alternatives. 

The following is a list of Carbondale business closures and event cancellations. It will be updated/revised as new information becomes available.

For information on Carbondale restaurants, click here.

TJ Maxx

TJ Maxx is temporarily closing all stores for two weeks, starting March 19. The company is closing online business during that time as well.

Kohl’s

All Kohl’s stores will be temporarily closed through April 1. Online shopping through the Kohl’s website and app will still be available.

J.C. Penney

Beginning March 18, J.C. Penney has temporarily closed all stores through April 2.

Carbondale Public Library

Update 3/18/20: Carbondale Public Library is closed through March 29. Fines will not accrue while the library is closed, according to an announcement on the library website. All programs and events are canceled through that time.

Schnucks

Update 3/18/20: Schnucks is designating 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. as shopping time exclusively for senior customers (age 60+) and for those who are most at risk of COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions.

This shopping time takes place daily and Schnucks is asking all customers who do not fit into either category to shop after 7 a.m.

All 24 hour Schnucks stores are reducing their hours and closing at midnight, all non-24 hour stores will be closing at 10 p.m. beginning March 15 until further notice.

SIU Student Center

All Student Center restaurants are closed as per Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mandate on restaurant closure.

SIU Recreation Center

SIU’s Recreation Center will close effective March 17. Group fitness classes, intramural sports, sport club practices, sabre fencing, salsa dance, boxing and youth climbing lessons have been postponed.

Swim lessons for adults and youth have been canceled. The climbing and bouldering wall and the Base Camp Rental Center are closed and birthday party reservations are not being accepted due to COVID-19.  

Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois will not be open for programming March 16-28, according to a press release.

The Club will be providing to-go lunches and suppers for club members. Lunches will be available for pickup from noon to 1:30 p.m. Suppers will be available for pickup from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The Club will also provide ready-made activities and books with each meal.

Walmart

All 24-hour Walmart stores will be cutting their hours to 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. to combat COVID-19 unless they otherwise notify the public.

Walmart’s that are not 24 hours will also be cutting their hours but these have not yet been cut to confirmed times.

State Parks and Historical Sites

All state parks and historical sites owned by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources are closed to the public effective immediately, according to a press release.

All scheduled events are canceled and patrons are encouraged to call the parks administrative line at 217-782-6752 with questions.

Rainbow Cafe

The Rainbow Cafe community night will be online from 6-10 p.m. through Discord and will be open to all of the groups including Transitions, Transformation, Unconditional and ARC. 

Updates will come in the following weeks as they access the developments for the safety of their community. 

The Varsity Center/Stage Company

The Varsity Center and Stage Company will be postponing their March events. Other future events could possibly be rescheduled as well as they are following the guidance of health officials. 

For more information, their social media will be updated as events are rescheduled and they will also be issuing press releases and emails. 

Farmer’s Markets

The Carbondale Community Farmers Market is closed for the season after canceling their March 14 and March 28 dates.

If customers wish to purchase food, they are encouraged to reach out directly to the vendors.

Many of the vendors are offering alternative ways to access local foods such as delivery options and roadside stands. A list of these vendors can be found on the Carbondale community farmers market website. 

Carbondale City Hall/Civic Center

Carbondale City Hall and Civic Center is closed to the public until March 31. Any current events have been canceled.

The civic center will be open for the primary election on March 17. 

The Carbondale City Council meeting on March 24 has been canceled. 

The Carbondale Preservation Commission meeting on March 16 has been canceled.

The City of Carbondale will waive late fees for customers who have difficulty making payments through alternative methods such as online bill pay, mail, or the drop box on the west side drive of City Hall. 

All current events for the town square pavilion have been canceled as well. 

This is an ongoing story that will be updated as more events are canceled and businesses close. Know of an event that’s been canceled? Feel free to comment below or on Facebook or Twitter.

Staff reporter Alex Williams can be reached at [email protected].

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