After nearly a decade at Westfield Montgomery mall, Lucky Strike has packed up its bowling balls for good. Doors closed this past weekend after the Virginia-based company declined to renew its lease. Business had been slow in recent years, we’re told, and the mall’s frequent escalator outages made getting there a challenge. The bowling alley’s lower-level space, originally built for the mall’s movie theater, will not be an easy fill. If you’re looking to lace up your bowling shoes, the next-closest options are Pinstripes at Pike & Rose (in Chapter 11, but still open) and the Lucky Strike lanes on Shady Grove Road and Westbard Avenue (both formerly Bowlero).
Alison
Is Aritzia coming to the mall?
Store Reporter
No official word on this yet! We’ll confirm as soon as we know for sure. To make sure you don’t miss the latest news, sign up for the weekly Store Reporter emails at http://www.storereporter.com.
Yvonne
I notice you had recently reported that Hobby Lobby might be moving to our area. That would be great for many since Joann’s and other craft stores have gone out of business or left in recent years. What I was surprised about was the negative political controversial spin you chose to put on them. Really? Why? We need retail stores with everything going online. What was interesting is that one of the companies you posted about in the same issue and continue to discuss is Lucky Strike/Bowlero/AMF etc. They have been fraught with heavy litigation and settlements in 2023 and 2024 involving age discrimination claims to the tune of $60 million dollars in 2023 alone. So, I’d like to suggest if you’re going to deter people with personal politics or negativity, how about make it across the board. Not that anyone wants to hear about politics in a retail newsletter. People prefer positivity.
Store Reporter
Unlike most of the retailers we cover, Hobby Lobby’s owners have actively chosen to put religion and conservative politics at the core of their business model. This is a faith-based company that operates according to “Biblical principles,” and its refusal to include birth control in its healthcare options led to a seminal Supreme Court case. We would be remiss not to mention this history in our coverage of Hobby Lobby.
Vanessa
Did you guys hear about Beyond Yoga is coming to DMV? I was searching because I heard the news on Robert Dyer, but I was wondering if you guys could confirm its true?
Store Reporter
Yes they are! Here’s our story: https://www.storereporter.com/beyond-yoga-activewear-store-opening-westfield-montgomery-mall/