A popular coffeehouse chain and all-inclusive facial bar, as well as an entertainment space for youths, all have called it quits at Lehigh Valley Mall.

The closures come as one new retailer opens and five others are set to come soon at the shopping destination in Whitehall Township.

It was quiet Friday at the freestanding Starbucks kiosk, located on the main level of the mall just across from Francesca’s Collections and Swarovski Crystal. Mall employees confirmed the coffee shop closed in recent weeks after nearly two decades in operation. The kiosk in 2007 opened at the mall.

Also shuttered at the mall’s Lifestyle Center is Face Foundrie, which opened in late July 2023 in space that previously occupied Pepper Palace, next to trendy eyewear company Warby Parker. Pepper Palace briefly relocated to the mall’s interior portion, between Verizon Wireless and Hamsa Exoticz, before vacating all together by winter 2024.

Rivals Indoor Battlefield, which featured games of play involving Nerf guns to shoot opponents, on Aug. 31 closed for good on the mall’s upper level, near Macy’s. The business during its summer 2022 opening described itself as an “alternative to paintball.” Players were required to wear protective gear and goggles during the games and aimed for body shots. Rivals additionally hosted children’s birthday parties and private events.

Of the chains closing at the mall, Starbucks has locations throughout the Lehigh Valley with several new sites under construction or opening soon.

The Face Foundrie franchise is owned by chain founder and CEO Michele Henry. The regional location at its opening had marked Henry’s sixth store with a seventh that opened in August 2023 at King of Prussia Mall, outside Philadelphia. The facial bar is known for offering full facial treatments, mini facials and add-on enhancements, which target specific skin concerns. There are also brow and lash services.

Rivals was owned by Yashira Caballero. The owner on Aug. 15 took to the business’ Facebook page to let loyal patrons know about the pending closure. Caballero stated in the comments section mall representatives wanted Rivals to relocate to the former Slime Time space and she declined since it was a much smaller site.

Slime Time shuttered in early January and relocated in March to Promenade Saucon Valley in Upper Saucon.

“This decision was not made due to failure or choice, but because I was outbid out of my lease,” the Rivals posting stated.

Retailer Furniture & Linen now is expected to move into the former Rivals space later this month, Sherry Smith, the mall’s area marketing administrator, told lehighvalleylive.com Tuesday.

It’s unclear what led to the departures of Starbucks and Face Foundrie.

Smith said there was no information to release about those closures and currently nothing is lined up to replace those empty storefronts.

Additionally, the site that previously occupied Pepper Palace in the mall’s interior portion — between Verizon and Hamsa Exoticz — has gained a new tenant that will be familiar to some shoppers.

Time on My Hands, a retailer specializing in watches and clocks, as well as repair services, grand opened with its first brick-and-mortar space on Friday. It’s the second location, however, for its owner. Time on My Hands additionally operates a kiosk on the mall’s upper level, near Macy’s.

The vacancies of Starbucks and Face Foundrie come as the bustling shopping destination, along Grape Street and MacArthur Road in Whitehall, is set to welcome at least five new tenants.

Signs are already up for Miniso, a variety store chain specializing in household and consumer goods, next to Bath & Body Works on the main level. The chain was founded by Jack Ye, who decided to launch the business venture after Asian-inspired specialty stores, often stocking a variety of items at affordable prices.

Smith anticipates a late fall opening for Miniso, she told lehighvalleylive.com this week.

Game Box Arcade, featuring vintage and modern video games, also is set to open on the main level, next to Boscov’s. Smith expects that retailer’s opening sometime in early fall.

Also opening in early fall will be a new eatery, Spice n Shake, located on the mall’s upper level in space that previously occupied Almost Vegan Pescatarian Cafe, and prior to that, Subway. Almost Vegan shuttered in summer 2022. The site is near Macy’s.

Spice n Shake serves French fries in a variety of shapes, including “shoestring” and “curly.” The snacks are “seasoned and shakened” with a patron’s choice of bold flavors, according to the mall’s website.

Golf Galaxy, an interactive golf store chain, additionally is set to partially occupy a small vacant portion left by Babies R Us on the mall’s property. It’s moving into space also left behind by the former HobbyTown USA. Arts and crafts retail giant Michaels in summer 2019 moved into the other, much larger portion of the former Babies R Us.

Golf Galaxy offers golfers of all levels an immersive experience, which includes access to the leading golf technologies; state-of-the-art hitting bays; custom fittings, and golf lessons from professionals; as well as equipment, apparel, and footwear from some top retail brands.

Golf Galaxy also is expected to open in early fall, Smith said.

The departures of Starbucks, Face Foundrie and Rivals Indoor Battlefield come just weeks after another retailer — Ardene — in late July shuttered on the mall’s main level. The boutique was known for its accessibly-priced fashion, shoes and accessories.

Smith didn’t have any information to release on what led to the closure or any future tenants interested in the space.

As that boutique was readying to shutter, however, representatives of mall owner, Simon Property Group, added some other tenants to Lehigh Valley Mall’s roster.

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant on July 13 grand opened at the mall’s outdoor Lifestyle Center. The eatery moved into space that formerly occupied Bravo! Cucina Italiana. Bravo! permanently closed in October 2023 after attempting a bumpy comeback about two years prior. Iron Hill patrons are treated to beer brewed on site, as well as a revamped food menu at the new mall location.

Rally House, known for its sports merchandise, in early July also opened on the main level, next to Macy’s, in space that once occupied Jennifer’s Unique Boutique. The boutique temporarily moved to the Lifestyle Center before moving permanently to a space on the mall’s upper level.

A handful of empty storefronts currently remain, including at the former Slime Time and Ardene spaces, according to the mall’s directory map. Both vacancies are on the mall’s upper level.

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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.