MALL OPENING

MARION, Ill. -- Three new department store operations will open in the Carbondale/Marion area within the next five weeks.

Dillards, an anchor store at the new Illinois Centre Mall, Marion, will open Wednesday as the mall observes its grand opening.

Famous Barr and Montgomery Ward, two anchor stores at the expanded University Mall of Carbondale, have announced "official" openings. Montgomery Ward will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 31, but will be open for business Oct. 28.

Famous Barr will hold its ribbon-cutting Nov. 1, but will be open for a "soft opening" Oct. 26.

The three stores will offer a combined total of more than 400 jobs, full and part-time.