A permanently closed Dick’s Sporting Goods in Ladera Ranch’s Mercantile East Shopping Center may soon become a Bowlero branch, according to an ABC application filed by AMF Bowling Centers, Inc. for a “Bowlero Mercantile East, LLC.” The space’s address is listed as 27502 Antonio Parkway and resides next to a shuttered Staples.
The world’s largest owner and operator of bowling entertainment centers, Bowlero was founded by entrepreneur Tom Shannon. The story goes like this: In 1997, Shannon purchased the original Bowlmor Lanes and began revolutionizing the industry. 16 years later, in 2013, Bowlmor purchased AMF Bowling Centers before launching Bowlero in 2014. Since then, the dynamic brand has taken bowling to an entirely new level, with over 12,000 lanes and 28 million guests per year.
Now known as Bowlero Corp, the company is the largest ten-pin bowling center operator in the world with over 325 centers, almost all of which are located in the US. The centers have an average of 40 lanes compared to the U.S. bowling center average of just 21 lanes.
Bowlero is a blacklight bowling, retro-inspired hangout powered by interactive arcade games, signature cocktails, an outrageous menu of Oversized Shareables, and… nostalgia, as detailed on its website.
Some of Bowlero’s notable offerings include a Signature Six-Pound Behemoth Burger, a 123 oz. Dunk Tank Cocktail (meant to be shared), and Lamb Lollipops.
