The sudden closure of Hangar 9 – a beloved staple on the Carbondale Strip, has left a noticeable void in the local bar scene. As one of the most popular venues for college students and locals alike, its absence has been felt both by patrons and bar owners in the area. 

Several bar owners shared their thoughts on Hangar 9’s closure. PK’s owner Walter Wit gave some insight. 

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“More businesses on The Strip is better for The Strip,” Wit said. “People want to come to a Downtown Central location. Just bar hop, eat food, hang out and be entertained. No one wants to go to just two bars, that’s boring. That’s not walking up and down a strip. That doesn’t feel like bar hopping,” he said.

Although Hangar 9’s closure has left an undeniable gap, many of the local bar owners are adapting to the changes. Some have seen a slight increase in traffic as people look for new places to gather. 

“We’ve definitely seen some new faces recently, but it hasn’t had a huge direct impact on us,” Traxx owner Brian Woodruff said. 

His venue, which already had a strong following, has maintained its regular crowd but is starting to experiment with new ideas to attract more people. 

“I’m considering adopting some of Hangar 9’s popular events, like themed nights, into their programming,” Woodruff said. 

One of the most noticeable shifts has been the relocation of Hangar 9’s popular Thursday karaoke night. 

“There’s been a slight increase in business on Thursdays since we started doing karaoke at Booby’s,” said Booby’s owner Abe Traverso.

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While this has brought some new business, he was quick to note that it’s not a major game-changer. 

“It’s more of a small adjustment than anything that’s outrageously measurable, but it’s been a fun change for us,” he said.

For many bar owners, the closing of Hangar 9 feels like the end of an era. Hangar 9 owner Sally Carter’s decision to retire was understandable, but still bittersweet.

“A lot of us know Sally, and she’s like family to us. It’s hard to imagine the Strip without her venue,” Traverso said. 

Even with the closure, there’s optimism that Hangar 9 may eventually reopen. 

“I don’t think it’ll be very long before it’s bought and reopened. It would be a tragic loss, to lose a venue of that capacity and caliber in the town, it would be detrimental,” Wit said. “I think it’s bad for The Strip. I think it’s bad for the college. I think it’s bad for the town. A bad look.” 

Despite the challenges, the bar community in Carbondale is committed to keeping the strip alive. Many owners, like Traverso, are doubling down on their community involvement.

“We’re very active with arts and music, and we’re going to keep that going. We have local artists and bands showcasing their work, and we’re proud to support them in any way we can,” Traverso said. 

As for the future of Hangar 9 itself, it remains to be seen. But for now, the local bar scene seems united in its mission to keep the energy alive and to ensure that Carbondale’s Strip continues to be a place where people can gather and socialize for years to come. 

Sports reporter Joslyn Cole can be reached at [email protected]. To stay up to date on all your southern Illinois news, be sure to follow The Daily Egyptian on Facebook.

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