Lehigh Valley Mall to welcome new restaurant, retailers and expansive children’s playground | Eat, Sip, Shop

WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. – The lineup at the Lehigh Valley’s largest shopping mall is continuing to change with several new and coming-soon tenants, including a new eatery, Carter’s/OshKosh B’gosh store and Star Park Indoor Playground & Party facility.

The two-level mall, at MacArthur Road and Route 22 in Whitehall Township, is set to welcome four businesses – D’Colombia Restaurant & Bakery, MINISO, Carter’s/OshKosh B’gosh and Star Park Indoor Playground & Party – in the coming months.

The businesses will follow the recent openings of several other new Lehigh Valley Mall tenants, including Game Box Arcade, As Seen on TV, Spice n Shake, Fit Leggy, Furniture & Linen, Golf Galaxy, Perfume Galaxy and Perfume City.

In recent months, the mall has also bid farewell to some businesses, including Icing, Face Foundrie, Indian Bite, Hairitage Beauty Salon and Rivals Indoor Battlefield. Some of these departing businesses are continuing operations at other locations.

Coming soon tenants

Carter’s/OshKosh b’gosh, offering clothing for babies and young children, is expected to open in the spring on the mall’s second level, between GameStop and Hot Topic, according to Sherry Smith, the mall’s area marketing administrator.

Carter’s, Inc., headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is the largest branded marketer in North America of apparel exclusively for babies and young children, according to a corporate profile.

The company owns the Carter’s and OshKosh B’gosh brands, which are sold through over 1,000 company-operated stores in the United States, Canada, and Mexico and online.

The apparel is also sold in leading department stores, national chains, and specialty retailers domestically and internationally. The company’s Child of Mine brand is available at Walmart, its Just One You brand is available at Target, and its Simple Joys brand is available on Amazon.com.

The company also owns Little Planet, a brand focused on organic fabrics and sustainable materials, and Skip Hop, a global lifestyle brand for families with young children.

To make way for the new children’s clothing store at the Lehigh Valley Mall, airsoft shooting gallery Battlestar is moving to the mall’s first level, next to The Cheesecake Factory.

Battlestar should be open in its new space in February, Smith said.

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 the spring 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.

Also set to open in the spring is D’Colombia Restaurant & Bakery, Smith said.

D’Colombia Restaurant & Bakery will specialize in empanadas and other baked goods, Smith said. The counter-service shop will fill the space recently vacated by Indian Bite, a take-out eatery offering authentic Indian cuisine.

Lastly, Star Park Indoor Playground & Party is expected to open in late spring in a lower-level space that previously housed various retailers, including Track 23 and Modell’s Sporting Goods, Smith said.

The expansive facility will offer a unique, interactive play area where children ages 12 and under can climb, play, explore, and use their imaginations in a clean, bright and colorful world filled with a variety of fun, according to an online description.

“Your child will be thrilled to celebrate his or her birthday with friends at a fully personalized, fun and entertaining birthday party at Star Park Indoor Playground,” the description continues. 

Other Star Park locations operate at the Franklin Mall in Philadelphia and Cherry Hill Mall in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

The facilities offer “challenging fun” with various play equipment, including climbing structures, crawling tunnels, slides, swings and more.

They’re suitable for a wide array of events, including parent play dates, field trips, parties and more.

“Star Park Indoor Playground provides a fun environment for kids to play while giving parents a place to relax,” a message on Star Park’s website reads.

“We believe playtime should be a break from screens and an opportunity for creativity to flourish. Our facility offers parents a chance to unwind and connect while their children enjoy themselves.”

Recent openings

Carter’s/OshKosh B’gosh, MINISO, D’Colombia Restaurant & Bakery and Star Park Indoor Playground & Party will follow a string of other new Lehigh Valley Mall tenants.

Game Box Arcade, a traditional arcade concept where players use quarters to play various games, opened a few weeks ago in a lower-level spot near Boscov’s.

Individuals can play around a dozen different games, including various claw machines.

As Seen On TV, a store carrying a wide assortment of unique products seen on TV, opened in early November on the mall’s upper level.

The new store occupies space that previously housed Slime Time, which moved to Promenade Saucon Valley in early 2024.

As Seen On TV features a vast assortment of merchandise, including household items, tech gadgets, fitness equipment, kitchen utensils, toys and seasonal décor.

Items include portable wireless speakers, headphones, 3D panoramic cameras, light strips, phone chargers and accessories, massage guns, detox foot pads, resistance bands, humidifiers, Himalayan salt lamps, seat cushions, knee pillows, cascading incense holders, umbrellas, blenders, rotating refrigerator organizers, faucet drain pads, hoses, puzzles, tabletop games and remote control cars, among other items.

Various toys, portable heaters and holiday décor have been popular picks in the store’s first few weeks, an associate said.

Spice n Shake, a fast-casual eatery specializing in custom, freshly prepared French fries gently shaken in your choice of signature seasoning and chicken items available in unique sauces, opened Nov. 14 on the mall’s second level.

The restaurant, with chair and banquette seating, occupies an updated space that previously housed other eateries, including Subway and, most recently, Almost Vegan.

For Spice n Shake’s custom fries, individuals first choose their size (6-ounce with one flavor or 13-ounce with up to two flavors) before then picking their type (straight fries or curly fries) and flavor (spicy, BBQ, curry, house special chili BBQ, sweet plum, seaweed or ketchup).

Other menu highlights include chicken wings (traditional or boneless), cauliflower bites and popcorn (available plain or tossed in exclusive blend of signature seasonings).

The boneless chicken with the amber (house special) sauce has been a top seller in the business’ first few weeks, according to crew member Giovanni Lopez.

“Spice N Shake is your go-to spot for the ultimate fry experience!” a message on the business’ website reads.

“We specialize in serving up French fries in a variety of shapes, like shoestring and curly, all perfectly seasoned and shaken with your choice of bold flavors. Whether you crave something spicy, savory, or sweet, our fries are sure to satisfy. Don’t miss out on our mouthwatering chicken items, available in a range of delicious sauces that complement every bite.”

Fit Leggy, offering women’s leggings, legging sets, socks and accessories such as handbags, also opened in early November on the mall’s lower level.

The store occupies an updated space that previously housed Icing, a jewelry and fashion accessories store that closed last month.

Fit Leggy customers can shop a wide assortment of women’s leggings, suitable for activewear and everyday comfort, in the latest styles and premium fabrics.

Women’s perfume is also available for sale.

Golf Galaxy, an interactive golf store chain, held a soft opening of its new Lehigh Valley Mall location on Oct. 16.

The new performance center occupies a renovated outparcel space that previously housed HobbyTown USA and a portion of the former Babies R Us store.

It represents a relocation of Golf Galaxy’s former Lehigh Valley location, which operated at the Airport Shopping Center.

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.

Furniture & Linen, offering furniture for living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms, opened in September on the mall’s second level.

The store 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.”

Lastly, two new stores offering men’s and women’s fragrances recently opened on the mall’s second level.

First, Perfume Galaxy opened in early October near JCPenney. The space previously housed GNC.

Perfume Galaxy carries a wide array of men’s and women’s fragrances, including popular selections from Gucci, Versace, Coach and Jimmy Choo.

“We have a little bit of everything,” manager Jerry Singh said. “We also have a lot of gift boxes and unique Middle Eastern fragrances.”

Second, Perfume City opened in November between Claire’s and Banter by Piercing Pagoda.

Perfume City customers can shop a wide assortment of men’s and women’s fragrances, including selections by Giorgio Armani, Jimmy Choo, Lacoste and Ralph Lauren.

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.

Earlier this year, the mall welcomed a host of other 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 a second location of 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.

While new tenants are on the horizon, the Lehigh Valley Mall has also recently said goodbye to some businesses.

In the summer, the mall bid farewell to Rivals Indoor Battlefield; a Starbucks kiosk; Ardene, a fashion retailer with more than 250 stores worldwide; and Face Foundrié, a chain of all-inclusive focused facial bars.

In recent months, Icing, Indian Bite and Hairitage Beauty Salon also vacated their Lehigh Valley Mall locations.

Hairitage Beauty Salon has relocated its Lehigh County salon to 429 Front St. in Catasauqua, where it has added manicures, pedicures and other nail services to its offerings, according to the business’ Instagram page.

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,” last 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, some stores have recently undergone or are currently undergoing renovations.

AT&T recently reopened on the second level near JCPenney, while lululemon, a technical athletic apparel, footwear and accessories company for yoga, running, training and most other activities, recently reopened in its original lifestyle center location (next to Kendra Scott).