WHITEHALL, Pa. – Various businesses, including an arcade, furniture store and an eatery offering “the ultimate fry experience,” are keeping the retail roster fresh at the Lehigh Valley’s largest shopping center.
The Lehigh Valley Mall, at MacArthur Road and Route 22 in Whitehall Township, welcomed a new tenant – Furniture & Linen – about a week ago on the mall’s second level near Macy’s.
Furniture & Linen recently opened on the Lehigh Valley Mall’s second level near Macy’s.
The store, offering furniture for living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms, fills the space that was previously home to Rivals Indoor Battlefield, a facility offering a safe indoor environment for all ages to play with Nerf guns, which closed in late August.
Furniture & Linen customers can shop a wide variety of brands and styles of furniture, including classic and modern beds, sofas, dining room sets and more, along with mattresses and other home furnishings such as rugs and mirrors.
The store offers lease-to-own financing and invites customers to “shop now, pay later.”
Furniture & Linen joins a string of other recent Lehigh Valley Mall additions, including Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, Rally House, Stone Haven and a second location of Time On My Hands.
Four other businesses – Game Box Arcade, Spice n Shake, MINISO and Golf Galaxy – are set to open in the fall.
In recent months, the mall has also bid farewell to some businesses, including Ardene, Face Foundrie, Rivals Indoor Battlefield and a Starbucks kiosk.
Coming soon tenants
Golf Galaxy, an interactive golf store chain, is targeting early to mid-October for the opening of its new Lehigh Valley Mall store, according to Sherry Smith, the mall’s marketing administrator.
The new location will occupy a renovated outparcel space that previously housed HobbyTown USA and a portion of the former Babies R Us store.
Golf Galaxy, which opened its first store in 1997, offers “superstore selection and pricing with pro shop knowledge and services,” according to a description on the business’ website.
The company prides itself on its world-class selection of brand name golf equipment, golf apparel, golf accessories, golf technology and golf gifts for golfers of all ages and abilities. The retailer also sells pre-owned golf clubs and offers golf club trade-ins.
In addition to merchandise, Golf Galaxy – with about 100 stores nationwide – offers a comprehensive array of golf services and interactive golf features.
Some of these features include: on-staff PGA and LPGA professionals offering lessons, computer video swing analysis and information about equipment and club fitting; certified club technicians who have the materials and tools to get your clubs regripped and reshafted, adjust your loft and lie, and more; fitting bays where certified fitters use state-of-the-art technology to find the clubs that best suit your swing and game; electronic golf course simulators to test your skills on the world’s most famous courses; and indoor driving range and putting greens to test your clubs.
“The redesigned Golf Galaxy Performance Center in the Lehigh Valley Mall will offer golfers of all levels an immersive experience – access to industry leading TrackManTM and BioMechTM golf technologies, state-of-the-art hitting bays, custom fittings, golf lessons from a Class A Certified PGA Professional and the best equipment, apparel, and footwear from top brands such as Callaway, TaylorMade, PING, Titleist, Nike, TravisMathew, New Balance, FootJoy and more,” a message on the Lehigh Valley Mall’s website reads.
MINISO, a variety store chain that specializes in household and consumer goods including cosmetics, stationery, toys and kitchenware, is planning to open its first Lehigh Valley location in late fall in a lower-level space next to Bath & Body Works, Smith said.
MINISO founder Jack Ye gained inspiration for MINISO while vacationing with his family in Japan in 2013, according to a brand profile.
He came across several specialty stores that stocked “good quality, well designed, and inexpensive products” that were mostly manufactured in China.
With knowledge and experience in product development, supply chain and the fashion industry, Ye established MINISO as a “brand catering to young people around the world,” the online description continues.
Ye wanted customers to have “affordable, well-designed, quality products.”
MINISO sells a wide variety of items, including household items such as noodle bowls and energy-saving, mini night lamps; health and beauty products such as moisturizing facial masks and lipstick; fashion accessories such as bath slippers and eye masks; and digital products such as headphones and a “home theater” double-speaker-stereo Bluetooth speaker.
“To meet the needs of young consumers, MINISO innovates through co-branding partnerships with popular license holders, its excellent designs, and trendy technology, and launches products that are visually pleasing, easy to use and fun to play with,” MINISO’s brand profile reads.
MINISO, headquartered in Guangzhou, China, operates its global business under the brand slogan “Life is for fun.”
MINISO has more than 5,500 stores around the world, covering the core business districts of major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Dubai, Sydney, and Istanbul.
Spice n Shake, a counter-service restaurant offering “the ultimate fry experience,” is expected to open in early fall on the mall’s upper level, across from Lens Crafters, Smith said.
The space previously housed other eateries, including Subway and, most recently, Almost Vegan.
Spice n Shake will specialize in French fries served in a variety of shapes, like shoestring and curly, “all perfectly seasoned and shaken with your choice of bold flavors,” according to a description on the mall’s website.
“Whether you crave something spicy, savory, or sweet, our fries are sure to satisfy,” the description continues.
“Don’t miss out on our mouthwatering chicken items, available in a range of delicious sauces that complement every bite. Spice N Shake is where every fry and chicken lover’s cravings are fulfilled!”
Also set to open in early fall is Game Box Arcade, Smith said.
Game Box Arcade, occupying a lower-level spot near Boscov’s, will be a traditional arcade concept where customers use quarters to play various games, Smith said.
Bidding farewell
While new tenants are on the horizon, the Lehigh Valley Mall has also recently said goodbye to some businesses.
Rivals Indoor Battlefield, providing a safe indoor environment for all ages to play with Nerf guns, closed in late August.
The facility, which opened in 2022, offered family fun with “the coolest alternative to paintball.”
In mid-August, Rivals owner Yashira Caballero announced Rivals’ upcoming closure on the business’ Facebook page.
“Rivals Indoor Battlefield was conceived by a former Florida law enforcement officer, a single mother of 3, who was determined to provide a better future for her children,” the online post reads.
“Sadly, I must announce that Rivals Indoor Battlefield is closing the end of August. This decision was not made due to failure or choice, but because I was outbid out of my lease. Rivals has been in business for 2 years and 2 months, during which time we have helped celebrate numerous birthdays, ranging from children to teens and adults. We even hosted a baby shower, as evidenced by our positive Google reviews. The excitement and joy of the nerf battles will always be a cherished memory for us.”
Caballero said “brighter days are ahead,” and she is planning to open a similar entertainment center in Florida.
“Rivals Indoor Battlefield embodies the essence of family support and family fun for people of all ages,” the online post continues. “Although Rivals may be coming to an end at the Lehigh Valley Mall, the journey continues. Here’s to new adventures and opportunities.”
A Starbucks kiosk recently closed at the Lehigh Valley Mall.
A Starbucks kiosk also closed in late August at the mall.
The coffee shop chain’s location had operated since 2007 on the mall’s lower level near the escalators.
Starbucks products are still available for purchase at Barnes & Noble Cafe, located inside the mall’s recently renovated Barnes & Noble bookstore.
Other popular coffee spots at the mall include The Joint Coffee Co., Johnny’s Bagels & Deli and Auntie Anne’s/Cinnabon.
On the mall’s second level, Ardene – a fashion retailer with more than 250 stores worldwide – closed its three-year-old store in July.
A “major blowout sale,” featuring 70-80% off all apparel, $2 all footwear, and 10 for $10 all accessories, was held in the weeks leading up to the store’s closure.
The second-level space is now home to VIP Fashion, a store carrying a wide selection of dresses for proms, quinceañeras, weddings and other special occasions, which moved to the second-level spot from another mall location.
A Face Foundrie location recently closed after about a year of operation at the Lehigh Valley Mall’s outdoor lifestyle center.
Lastly, Face Foundrié, a chain of all-inclusive focused facial bars, closed its only Lehigh Valley location this summer after about a year of operation at the mall’s outdoor lifestyle center.
Face Foundrié offers “cutting edge services, accessible pricing, and an extensively trained staff of experts that deeply care,” according to the business’ mission statement.
“Our goal is to provide efficient and effective services for all things face: facials, lashes, brows and skincare,” the statement continues.
Face Foundrié, with more than 50 locations open or coming soon nationwide, offers a half dozen, 40-minute focused facials, featuring “results-driven service with the perfect touch of relaxation.”
Face Foundrié, Ardene and Starbucks representatives did not return messages seeking comment, including a reason for their Lehigh Valley Mall locations’ closures.
Other recent changes
The Lehigh Valley Mall, which debuted in 1976 and added an outdoor lifestyle center in 2007, is home to more than 140 businesses, including anchor department stores Boscov’s, Macy’s and JCPenney.
In recent months, the mall has welcomed a host of new stores and restaurants, including the Lehigh Valley’s first Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant.
Iron Hill, a popular restaurant and craft brewery with locations in Delaware, Georgia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and South Carolina, on July 12 hosted a ribbon cutting and “First Pour Celebration” at the Lehigh Valley Mall’s outdoor lifestyle center.
The new brewery and restaurant, with a seating capacity of up to 400, occupies a renovated end unit that previously housed Bravo! Cucina Italiana, which closed in fall 2022.
The new location features an on-site, glass-encased brewery and a variety of seating options ranging from cozy banquettes to communal high-tops, as well as a large bar throughout the cocktail area, dining room and patio.
Rally House, a specialty sports store chain offering an expansive selection of apparel, gifts, home decor and other types of merchandise representing local NCAA, NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and MLS teams, opened a location on July 5 in a lower-level mall space near Macy’s.
Rally House, with other Lehigh Valley locations operating in Lower Macungie and Upper Saucon townships, has one of the largest selections of officially licensed team gear and local gifts, with its product assortment including fan favorites like jerseys, headwear, drinkware, home decor, collectibles and more.
Also opening recently at the mall are Stone Haven, a store offering natural stone jewelry other related natural products; and Time On My Hands, a store offering watches from popular brands such as Bering, Bulova, Citizen, G-Shock and Kenneth Cole along with watch accessories and jewelry.
Stone Haven and Time On My Hands are both operating on the mall’s lower level near the main entrance.
In addition to new stores and restaurants, some existing tenants recently upgraded their spaces.
Barnes & Noble, an American bookseller with roughly 600 locations nationwide, on May 17 closed its temporary store on the mall’s lower level (near JCPenney) in advance of the grand opening of its renovated store – located in its original lifestyle center space – on June 12.
The new location showcases the highly lauded bookstore design seen in the most recent Barnes & Noble store openings, housing all the best books, toys, games and gifts that customers have come to expect from the nation’s premier bookseller. The bookstore also houses an updated B&N Café.
Also, Dave & Buster’s, the entertainment and dining chain that invites guests to “eat, drink, play and watch,” in the winter underwent extensive renovations, including the installation of new furniture, lighting and carpeting.
The space overall is much brighter, with new neon signage and overhead lighting.
Additionally, new social bays – three for digital darts and two for shuffleboard – were installed in former dining space.
Lastly, lululemon, a technical athletic apparel, footwear and accessories company for yoga, running, training and most other activities, is operating out of a temporary space (across from Pottery Barn) as its original location (next to Kendra Scott) is undergoing renovations.
The newly renovated shop is expected to open in winter 2024, according to storefront signage.
