Lucky Strike Bowling Center Coming to Pavilions

California developer Bill Denton, who developed Pavilions, thinks Lucky Strike Lanes should be the kind of tenant that will finally be a success. He notes several tenants pulled out of that space. The last full-time tenants, Banana Joe's and Margarita Mama's, abruptly vacated the space last year, stiffing Denton's Entertainment Group for back rent, as well as a number of subcontractors who filed mechanic liens.

Others agree with him. "I think it will be great for Downtown," Pat McHenry, a Trammell Crow retail broker, tells GlobeSt.com. "They are such a destination concept, I think it will really do well."

John Imbergamo, a local restaurant consultant, notes a third-floor retail site is always challenging. But he agrees McHenry that Lucky Strike will be a winner. "It's not just a restaurant, so there's a real reason to go there," Imbergamo tells GlobeSt.com.

In Hollywood, the Lucky Strike has drawn celebrities such as Adrian Brody, Ashton Kutcher, Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, Jessica Simpson, Elijah Wood, Matthew McConaughey, LeBron James, Serena Williams, Bruce Willis, Robin Williams, Sandra Bullock, Mike Meyers and Keanu Reeves. The Denver center, scheduled to open in September, will include 12 state-of-the-art lanes with the latest in technology; décor with a 1930's and 1940's "retro" design; a 100-ft by 10-ft video wall over the pins showing music videos, film clips and customized images for special events; a 120-seat restaurant and a 50-ft sports bar; three billiards tables; and a private lounge that seats 50 with its own four lanes.

Lucky Strike was founded by Steve and Jillian Foster. Steve Foster founded the Jillian's chain, which earlier this year filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Steve Foster says the time is right for an upscale bowling alley. "In the '20s and '30s, bowling alleys were the sophisticated social centers of their time," Foster says. "In the last couple of generations, they became a blue-collar downscale phenomenon. But all things are cyclical. We see this not as a novelty or trend or the latest thing. We're doing with bowling what we hope to do with art, which is make an age-old experience accessible within a social environment. It has not been attempted on this level before, and we are happy to offer this experience to the people of Denver."