A former Glenside bowling alley has begun a new chapter, writes Jess Rohan for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
It is now a collection of independent, mostly women-owned businesses.
Glenside Lanes sits at 2256 Mt. Carmel Ave. The brick building dates to the 1920s. It operated as a bowling alley and billiards hall until 1971.
A family of eye specialists later ran an optometrist’s office there for decades. Glenside native and developer Kevin Burke bought the property in 2024. He transformed it into a micro-mall that opened in May 2025.
Who’s Inside
The lineup includes Align Studio, run by former professional ballet dancer Alyson Pray Ward, offering barre and yoga classes. Rhiannon Punzo’s Dovetail sells gifts from local artists.
Music photographer Lisa Schaffer opened Vinyl Chickie, a record store, after Punzo encouraged her to move up her retirement plans. Raven Cafe began pouring Rival Bros.
Coffee this summer. Punzo also cofounded CO Lab, an art-events company that has already hosted live music inside the building.
The shops connect to one another. Customers can grab coffee, browse records, shop for gifts, and take a fitness class without leaving the building.
Instructors say the layout builds real community. Regulars run into familiar faces between classes and errands.
What’s Next
Burke is preserving much of the original bowling-lane flooring. The alternating wooden planks, gutters, and lane markings will remain visible.
That section of the building could open as a concert and event venue as soon as November. Burke also plans a similar multiuse project in Wyncote.
A Neighborhood Pattern
Glenside has long relied on gathering spots. The Keswick Theatre, Glenside Free Library and Memorial Hall have anchored community life for generations.
Glenside Lanes now adds to that tradition. It also echoes Yorkway Place in nearby Jenkintown, another retail space blending shopping with shared experiences.
For Burke and his tenants, neighbors have been the biggest partner. Residents asked for more walkable, independent businesses. When Glenside Lanes opened, they showed up.