by Steve Dunford
Several emergency officials has labeled the Interstate 57. US 51, Illinois 13 corridor in Jackson, Williamson, Perry, and Franklin Counties, for having heavy traffic and an influx of tourists coming to see the total eclipse, which the path will cut right through Southern Illinois on Monday. Estimated totals will say hundreds of thousands will ascend on Little Egypt.
Carbondale McDonalds at University Place Shopping Center, that has was purchased by Moreland/Bishop enterprises. Their corporate office is in West Frankfort (File photo)
Moreland-Bishop enterprises, based out of West Frankfort, owns a chain of McDonald’s restaurants across Southern Illinois, including two that the company recently required in Carbondale in February. They also own stores in, Benton-West City, West Frankfort, Johnston City, Herrin, Carterville and two in Marion, in the four county area that will experience the extra tourists.
Late last week, I spoke with John Moreland, who with his wife Mary, and daughter Stephanie who has been long time owners of the franchises. In the conversation he told me that coupled with the eclipse, SIU students will be allowed to move in the dorms on Thursday, as classes start next Tuesday.
He said this is unprecedented, but they are going to have extra staff, shuffled from other stores. Management has been meeting for months to prepare for this weekend. Their suppliers are prepared to make extra runs to the stores if necessary.
Moreland was concerned about the weather, and people might go elsewhere At the time, The Weather Channel, predicted showers and thunderstorms for Southern Illinois on Monday in their 15 day forecast. The storm system forecasters had their eye on will hit the region on Saturday.
He said, “No matter what, there will be people here,” citing that most hotels in Jackson and Williamson counties were requiring at least a three night stay.
To deal with communication issues, he said all of the company cars are General Motors vehicles, and they will rely on OnStar if local cell services go down.
Moreland told me their family will be guests to several friends and relatives during that time, coming from as far away as Texas.
Moreland gave me a story suggestion, follow up with businesses and officials to see what went right, and what went wrong.
“We are preparing for a typical fourth of July Weekend.” says Bob Brothers, Store Manager of Benton-West City Walmart. He says the reason being with the campgrounds are full at Rend Lake during that time and he expects a similar bump in sales.
Brothers said the store will be well stocked, and nearly every register will be going for the weekend. They put emphasis on extra camping supplies and emergency management supplies, such as batteries and generators, in case the power grid would be overloaded.
He says some sales will be determined by how heavy the traffic is on Interstate 57, barring whether people will exit to avoid the congestion.
Brothers also said they are sold out of eclipse glasses, and do not expect to get any more in.
Karen Freeman of Benton KOA says there are no vacancies for camping spots. It has been that way over a year now. “Several are staying five and six days and making a vacation out of it, Freeman said.”
Trudy Phillips, Store Manager of Sesser Casey’s, says at this time they will not have any extra staffing. The store just received more eclipse glasses in stock though.
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