Illinois Centre Mall, Marion, Illinois, United States of America

The Illinois Centre Mall, also known as the Illinois Star Centre, is a shopping mall in Marion, in Williamson County, southern Illinois. When it opened in 1990, it was part of a cutthroat commercial rivalry with the nearby University Mall in Carbondale. Illinois Centre eventually won out, with several stores, like Sears, Target, and Phar-Mor, relocating from University Mall to the Centre. Unfortunately, problems with the mall’s management and the closing of big-name brands like Sears led to mall’s official closing, after around 30 years in business.

One of the nearby Illinois cities to the mall’s area in Marion is Carbondale, also referred to as “Little Egypt” after early settlers moved to the area in southern Illinois to escape the effects of a terrible winter. Meanwhile, the city of Pinckneyville is known as one of the friendliest cities in the southern regions of the state. Notable places to visit in Marion include the Marion Cultural and Civic Center, a place to see the latest performances and shows dominating its art scene. The Lake Murphysboro State Park is a serene and peaceful area for outdoor recreation and sightseeing, as is the Pyramid State Park, where guests can go canoeing. Guests visiting the area of the former Illinois Centre Mall can stay at the Comfort Inn & Suites Marion I-57, which offers cozy and spacious rooms as well as an indoor pool and Jacuzzi. The Hampton Inn Marion promises just as relaxing a stay, with elegant carpeted suites, an exercise room, and a quiet and peaceful location.