Rally House takes over key Pearl Street spot
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Rally House is set to move into the former Lazy Dog space at 1346 Pearl St. in downtown Boulder. Photo: Mitchell Byars/Axios
Sports apparel retailer Rally House will move into the former home of the Lazy Dog, on the Pearl Street Mall, instead of the previously announced SkinnyFats eatery.
Why it matters: The property, which downtown officials described to Axios as "iconic," was empty for over five years.
- With more than 10,000 square feet at the corner of 14th and Pearl streets, near the Boulder County Courthouse and the Boulder Theater, the location is a vital anchor for the east end of the walking mall.
"Rally House's opening is a sign of the vibrancy and continued momentum of downtown's stability and growth," Terri Takata-Smith, vice president of marketing and communications at the Downtown Boulder Partnership, told Axios.
Catch up quick: 1346 Pearl St. sat vacant for more than five years until it was announced that SkinnyFats and Cheba Hut would split the parcel, BizWest reported last summer.
- Cheba Hut, a marijuana-themed sandwich shop headquartered in Colorado, moved into the south half of the building in December.
- BizWest reported Las Vegas-based SkinnyFats was planning to move its healthy fast-casual chain into the north half of the property, including the rooftop and the side facing the walking portion of the mall.
Yes, but: Rally House is now moving into the north half of the building, the DBP told Axios.
- "We're thrilled to see activity return to this iconic location," Takata-Smith told Axios. "It's a space that's been deeply missed since Lazy Dog closed."
- DBP officials did not say why Rally House replaced SkinnyFats. Representatives from Rally House, SkinnyFats and the building's owner, W.W. Reynolds, did not return Axios' requests for comment.
The intrigue: The parcel Rally House will occupy has a rooftop with views of the city and the Flatirons. It's unclear how Rally House might use the space.
The big picture: The Pearl Street Mall is one of Boulder's most recognizable landmarks and tourist destinations, but the area has seen local businesses struggle amid a post-COVID malaise.
- Boulder staff reported at an April meeting that downtown Boulder has been in economic turmoil with plateauing property and sales tax growth, and a commercial office vacancy rate of 19%, according to the Daily Camera.
- City Council asked staff to look into the possibility of creating a downtown development authority — a governmental entity responsible for facilitating economic development and infrastructure improvements. Meanwhile, the DBP is a nonprofit that works to promote downtown businesses and events.
- Despite challenges, Takata-Smith said, "Downtown Boulder continues to be a dynamic mix of legacy businesses and exciting new additions, and we're incredibly optimistic about what's ahead.'
Zoom out: Rally House already has a location in Boulder at 2450 Arapahoe Ave., and employees there told Axios it will remain open, doubling the chain's presence in the city.
- Both locations have posted signs indicating they're hiring.
- Pearl Street is already home to a CU-centric apparel store, Where the Buffalo Roam.
- Shops selling University of Colorado apparel have been doing well since Deion Sanders arrived in Boulder.
What's next: Employees at Rally House said the goal is to open the Pearl Street location by late June.