The Business Casualties of 2008

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Even before shoppers crowded into the University Mall in Carbondale to Christmas shop, the employees of the Foot Locker were packing.

The store's closure was one of a handful in Carbondale this year that included the Office Depot, Wilson's Leather, Express & Express Men and Steve and Barry's.

The Foot Locker's lease ended at the end of the year and was not renewed. Local outlets live and die by decisions in the nation's marketplace and the corporate offices.

A lease dispute resulted in the closure of the University Mall location of Alongi's Since 1933 earlier this year, but it had nothing to do with the success of Du Quoin's historic restaurant. And, the restaurant continues to flourish in Du Quoin without the University Mall.

The other shoe is expected to drop after the holidays as retailers sort out whether it's worth doing it another year.

Du Quoin lost a handful of businesses, as well. The end to a railroad shuttle service contract ended MC Transportation and a related business, Cravins Tire Service. Domino's Pizza closed and that property has since been taken over by Rolando's Pizza Store. Despite the best efforts of Du Quoin residents Bill and Anita Duff, the Klub Kahuna teen center was opened and later closed. The club provided wholesome entertainment for young people, but even the children who liked the center didn't have the money to support it.

The club was housed in the IOOF building and the Duffs have since reopened Klub Kahuna as the "Timeout Sports Bar & More," a high quality sports bar.

Across the region, storefronts are expected to fill more slowly than they emptied as the country navigates through the recession.

Most businesses say the holiday sales have not been great as shoppers cut back and pick and chose what they want and need. It's not this area. It seems to be all over.