Willow Grove Park Mall Will Soon Be Restored To Former Glory With Amusement Component

WILLOW GROVE, PA — Consumers today know the mall at Willow Grove Park as just that — a shopping mall.

But back in the day, the Willow Grove Park was actually a place full of amusement rides and various family activities.

Now, one company is looking to restore a part of the mall to its former glory, that of a family entertainment center with activities like bowling, mini golf, bumper cars and even a laser tag arena.

The mall's owner, Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, announced recently that the former JCPenney site at the mall would soon be home to a new entertainment complex at the property.

Tilted 10 and Tilt Studio, an offshoot of Texas-based company Nickels and Dimes Inc., will soon be operating a 104,000-square-foot indoor family entertainment center starting in 2022.

The property owner, PREIT, says the move is the latest step in its strategy to expand the offerings at Willow Grove Park to meet the changing needs of today's consumer.

"PREIT continues to lead the charge in proactively transforming our properties to create sought-after community centerpieces that serve a multitude of purposes," Joseph F. Coradino, PREIT's chief executive officer, said in a statement. "Tilt is a trusted partner across our portfolio, and we're excited to bring this unique entertainment experience to the Philadelphia region."

Tilted 10 and Tilt Studio will feature a restaurant with a chef-inspired menu, premier bowling lanes, multi-level laser tag arena, black light miniature golf course, bumper cars, virtual reality, Pinball Alley, more than 200 games and attractions, and a redemption center with hundreds of prizes, according to a PREIT news release.

This will be the first Tilted 10 and Tilt Studio in the Philadelphia region.

"As Willow Grove Park returns to its roots, it now brings a new entertainment destination for evenings and weekends that appeals to families," PREIT's news release states. "PREIT is focused on taking Willow Grove Park into the next phase of its evolution, which is set to include new dimensions, including entertainment, enhanced retail and apartments, creating a true central hub for the community."

According to Nickels and Dimes, Tilted 10 and Tilt Studios runs 10 what are dubbed "Fun Centers" across the country, and the company has a well-established reputation for unique birthday party and celebratory experiences.

"Our team really knows how to entertain and amaze," Tilt Studio President Ron Kostelny said in a statement. "We throw a great party, and we believe that the region is going to respond very positively. Our party experts will lead you down a path of non-stop smiles. We are thrilled to expand the Tilt Studios footprint to yet another PREIT property and create great family memories at Willow Grove."

The Willow Grove Park dates back to the late 1800s. The park itself was conceived as a place where Philadelphians and others could ride to their new trolley line in Willow Grove, according to the Upper Moreland Historical Association.

"The ideas of a park at the end of a trolley line and concerts by famous bands were to be copied across the country," the historical association wrote on its website.

The Willow Grove Park had its heyday as an amusement and recreation hub during the first half of the 20th century. Eventually, in the 1970s, the park was completely changed in order to make way for the large shopping mall that we know today.