[EXCLUSIVE] Expensive Duckpin Bowling Business Quietly Abandons Dunwoody Project

ToNeTo Atlanta has learned that "eatertainment" concept Jaguar Bolera is no longer opening at High Street in Dunwoody.  The concept, from Punch Bowl Social founder Robert Thompson, was announced in November 2023 but has recently been removed from the High Street website and is gone from the corporate Jaguar Bolera website too. 

Jaguar Bolera was to be one of two  eatertainment concepts in the mixed-use development.  Puttshack, an upscale indoor putt-putt operation with trendy food and drinks opened in the project this past November, the second in Atlanta, with the location at The Interlock in West Midtown being the first. 

Featuring duckpin bowling, foosball, darts, board games and karaoke in private rooms paired with Mexican and southern fare crafted by Culinary Director Manuel "Manny" Barella, Jaguar Bolera looked to bring fun activities and trendy food and drink to Dunwoody.  The venue, spanning more than 21,000 square feet, was originally to have opened at the end of 2024, the second overall for the budding business joining the original which opened in Raleigh last May.    

The Raleigh location - situated in the new Raleigh Iron Works development - has an overall 3.9 rating on Google with 235 reviews.  Unfortunately, half of the business's ten most recent reviews are one or two stars, with one's opening line cutting to the chase: "DO NOT COME HERE."  

Insider Jaguar Bolera Raleigh - Official 

It's unclear when or why the Dunwoody plans were scrapped but online research suggests that it may be more a company problem than any issues with High Street, Dunwoody, or metro Atlanta in general.  Barella, who according to his LinkedIn is still Culinary Director at both brands, has been doing a lot of pop-ups and has the "Open To Work" banner on his profile.  

Thompson departed Punch Bowl Social shortly before their Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in December 2020.  He went on to start a firm to conceptualize his next endeavor in 2022.  

“I say confidently that [Jaguar Bolera] will be the best version of eatertainment that I’ve ever created.” Robert Thompson told trade magazine Restaurant Dive in 2022. 

Angevin & Co., the parent company of both Jaguar Bolera and sibling concept Camp Pickle, secured more than $200 million from investors in September 2023 to fuel the expansion of both concepts.  

Individual investors included Bill Allen—co-founder of Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and former CEO of Bloomin’ Brands—and Stephen King, who served as CEO of eatertainment chain Dave & Buster’s for over a decade.  On the corporate side, Simon Property Group also invested and announced last January that Camp Pickle would open at their then upcoming Tulsa Premium Outlet project in the Tulsa suburb of Jenks.  The outlet mall opened this past August with Camp Pickle expected to open this coming spring/summer, but the business is not currently listed on the mall's "coming soon" list and locals in the area indicate that the Camp Pickle parcel has been relatively quiet for months.  

Camp Pickle rendering - Official 

In addition to the High Street and Tulsa Premium Outlet locations of Jaguar Bolera and Camp Pickle respectively, Camp Pickle locations were announced for Centennial and Globeville (Fox Park) in Denver as well as MidCity District in Huntsville.  The Huntsville outpost, first announced in 2022, was to have opened in early 2024 but is no longer mentioned on the MidCity District website.  The Centennial and Globeville locations were to open in late 2024 and 2025, respectively, but Centennial has yet to open and there is nothing to indicate either is still on track.  

Camp Pickle was previously said to be evaluating locations in both Atlanta and Charlotte, but there is no indication that either is still happening.  A Jaguar Bolera announced in 2022 to be opening in New Orleans in 2024 was previously scrapped.   

At the time of the Huntsville announcement, Thompson told Nation's Restaurant News that he anticipated "that 35-40% of [Camp Pickle's] sales will be driven by corporate events."  The reality is that companies - like consumers - are tightening their belts and limiting "fun" [expensive] things like eatertainment outings.  

The Camp Pickle website currently indicates "the first bugle sounds in 2025" but mentions no specific location(s).  Camp Pickle's official Facebook page was last updated early last April while their Instagram page has been silent since early last August.  

Back at High Street, Puttshack, as well as new locations of Velvet Taco, Ben & Jerry's, Nando's PERi-PERi, Agave Bandido, and Allen Edmonds have opened with The Hampton Social, Cuddlefish and for some reason Alo Yoga expected to open in the coming months.    

Have you been to the Jaguar Bolera in Raleigh?  Have you been to High Street?  What other shops or restaurants would you like to see open in High Street?  

Please share your thoughts below.