Future of mall carousel uncertain

ST. CHARLES – If anyone is looking for a double-decker Italian carousel, there is one available in St. Charles.

The carousel in the Charlestowne Mall’s food court is for sale, Chuck May, project director of The Quad St. Charles, wrote in an email.

May wrote that he has “several” people interested in buying the amusement ride, but no one has finalized a deal with him yet. He did not specify what the asking price is and declined to say what would happen to the carousel if it isn’t sold before the food court teardown begins. The teardown will be part of the mall’s transformation into The Quad St. Charles with new stores and restaurants.

The carousel’s $1 rides came to a close Jan. 20, according to a sign posted in the food court.

The sign said the carousel will no longer operate and thanked customers for their patronage.

One of the carousel’s frequent riders was Winfield resident Ryan Johnson and her son, Blake, 3.

Johnson said she would make a whole day out of a trip to the Charlestowne Mall.

She would take Blake to a children’s movie at the Charlestowne 18 theater at the mall, then grab a carousel ride before buying him a balloon at the dollar store that used to be at the mall.

With the carousel shut down, Johnson instead takes Blake and her other son, Halen, 1, to a children’s play area located near the open center of the mall. The center area would be a good location for the carousel, she said.

“They shouldn’t let that great thing go,” she said. “I would hate to see that get disassembled.”

Buyers interested in purchasing the carousel can call the mall’s main office at 630-513-1120.

Know more

To learn more about the Charlestowne Mall's redevelopment into The Quad St. Charles, visit www.thequadstcharles.com.