CARBONDALE — Hangar 9, a beloved institution on Carbondale’s legendary Illinois Avenue strip, is set to reopen this August with exciting updates and new ownership. Southern Illinois University (SIU) alumni Andrew Perlmutter and Scott Moller acquired the venue from longtime owner Sally Carter. Hangar 9 closed its doors on December 31, 2024, after 47 years of operation.
The new owners are launching a two-phase revitalization plan. Phase 1, currently underway, focuses on enhancing the customer experience by increasing capacity, expanding entertainment offerings, enlarging the dance floor and the upstairs viewing area, and transforming the adjacent parking lot—which they also purchased—into an outdoor beer garden. Phase 2, scheduled for summer 2026, includes a complete interior redesign featuring a new bar, upgraded stage, advanced lighting and sound systems, an elevated beer garden experience, and the addition of food service and premium drink offerings.
Hangar 9 is expected to reopen around August 4, just ahead of the Fall 2025 semester. Sally Carter will remain involved as a consultant, and several former staff members will be returning.
Perlmutter and Moller bring extensive marketing expertise to the venture. Perlmutter previously served as CEO of Funko, the pop culture collectibles company with annual sales exceeding $1 billion, and was part of the team that took the company public in 2017. Moller founded Marketing Werks, which became the largest experiential marketing services firm in the U.S., growing it to $100 million in annual revenue. For both alumni, reopening Hangar 9 is a passion project aimed at supporting SIU and the greater Carbondale community.
Longtime owner Sally Carter is excited about the next chapter for the business—and to be working alongside Perlmutter and Moller.
“They can’t get rid of me!” Carter joked. “Seriously, I could not think of a better duo to continue the work I’ve done over the past several decades. I love their ideas and energy—and we’re having fun already.”
“Our fall lineup will feature something for everyone,” said Perlmutter. “Whether you’re 18 or 80, you’ll find a reason to visit Hangar 9.”
The venue will offer entertainment most nights, ranging from dance parties, themed nights, karaoke, and trivia, to Latin nights, drag shows, fundraisers, local bands, stand-up comedy, and select national touring acts. This venue will serve as a bridge to further connect artists from larger music hubs such as Nashville and Chicago to Carbondale’s diverse music scene. The increased capacity will allow the venue to attract exciting national acts and more widely renowned bands to launch Carbondale to the next level as a destination for live music.
“We’re especially excited that our renovations will create the strip’s largest dance floor,” said Moller. “Women have told us, ‘We want to dance!’—and we will provide the space, the music, and the atmosphere for a fun night out.”
Moller emphasized that community involvement will be a key measure of success. He currently serves as President of the SIU Alumni Association Board, is a member of the SIU Foundation Board, and is active in ongoing campus initiatives. He hopes to use the relationships he’s forged to further connect SIU with downtown Carbondale.
“We’ll be a major sponsor of this fall’s Homecoming/Halloween Festival on the Strip. We’ve also established partnerships with the Fermentation Science Institute, SIU School of Journalism, the 80s/90s B.E.E.R. scholarship group, and we’re actively working with Registered Student Organizations and various SIU departments.”
“Our goal is to make every alum feel like they’ve come home when they walk into Hangar 9,” added Perlmutter. “The new décor will celebrate SIU and Carbondale’s rich history, while our programming will help reengage students and bring them back downtown.”
“Scott and I believe college should be fun, and Hangar 9 will continue to be a place where students make lasting memories.”
Several key partners are contributing to the project’s success. Local architect Thad Heckman is leading the design plans, with general contractor Chuck Korando overseeing construction. Nate Armstrong and Blake Bedsoe of 618Pro are managing upgrades to the venue’s sound and lighting systems. The City of Carbondale—particularly Steven Mitchell, John Lenzini, Brice Dion, Cody Lueker, Dena Haun, and Eva Fisher—has provided vital support throughout the process.
Hangar 9 is centrally located on Illinois Avenue, Carbondale’s iconic “Strip,” just a few blocks from the Southern Illinois University campus. Originally built to resemble an airplane hangar, the venue opened its doors in 1978 and quickly became a staple of Carbondale’s nightlife and music scene. With new ownership and substantial investment, Hangar 9 is poised to continue its tradition of great music and unforgettable entertainment in the heart of downtown Carbondale.
For more information, or to suggest a show or activity, please visit www.thehangar9.com.