UPDATED: Kings, Framingham Planning Board Strike a Deal

Framingham will soon have a bowling alley, again.

The Framingham Planning Board unanimously approved a plan to bring a retro-themed KINGS bowling alley to Shoppers World at 19 Flutie Pass. The vote was 4-0, with Planning Board member Lew Colton not present.

The Kings proposal submitted by the owners of Shoppers World, DDR Corp, was part of an estimated $1.1 million new entertainment complex, that would straddle the Town of Framingham and the Town of Natick, near Route 9.

Framingham Patch first reported about the entertainment complex proposal on Sept 1, 2015.

The plan calls for the 21,000 square-foot ten-pin, upscale bowling alley and a 9,500 square-foot restaurant still to be named to be built in Framingham, on land across from the AMC theatre complex on Flutie Pass. Next to that Framingham plan would be a skydiving facility in Natick.

Natick Planning Board approved its part of the proposal last month.

The Framingham Planning Board held a multi-night, multi-month public hearing on the proposal, before its approval Monday night, Feb. 22.

“The applicant worked with us throughout the public hearing to ensure the project created an attractive and vibrant environment,” said Planning Board member Stephanie Mercandetti.

“It will be a wonderful addition to the area and have a positive economic impact on the Town,” said Mercandetti, who is vice-chair of the Board.

DDR Corp will need to go before the Framingham Planning Board again, when a restaurant is identified.

The company has said its goal is to open in late 2017.

Kings Bowl first opened its doors in 2002 in Boston’s Back Bay. The goal of Kings is to rekindle rekindling the fun and escape of bowling by creating a memorable entertainment experience, emphasizing good food, cold beer, creative cocktails and great music, according to the company website.

Each Kings location features upscale, retro-inspired décor with an executive-chef designed menu.

“With varied entertainment options, themed nights, and state-of-the-art audio visual equipment, Kings sets itself apart as an unparalleled social scene for all occasions; be it a family outing, a date night hotspot, a corporate event or the best place in town to connect with friends,” states the company’s website.

Most Kings’ are a 21-plus facility each evening as early as 5 p.m. Before 9 p.m. all guests must be at least 18 years of age or with a parent of legal guardian. After 9 p.m., all guests must be 21 or older with proper ID in order to enter Kings. During mornings and afternoons, families with supervised children are welcome.

The indoor sky diving is an iFly, which has locations across the country including Chicago, Dallas, Orlando, Hollywood to name a few. The company has locations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Asia. The company’s closest location to the proposed one in Natick is SkyVenture in New Hampshire.

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Updated report.