Aura Bowls and Waffles to Open in Boise Mall
The new concept will replace two former food court tenants in Boise Towne Square this October.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Aura Bowls and Waffles will open a new location in the Boise Towne Square food court by mid-October 2026. The new shop will occupy the space previously held by Häagen-Dazs and Cinnabon.
Why it matters
The transition reflects shifting tenant dynamics within Boise Towne Square, where the mall's food court is currently reconfiguring its vendor lineup. This turnover highlights the persistent rotation of established national chains for local independent concepts in regional mall spaces.
Aura Bowls and Waffles will replace two former mall tenants, Häagen-Dazs and Cinnabon, within the Boise Towne Square food court. This move follows the recent 2026 entry of Jurassic Burger and an upcoming launch for Kabob House at the same site.
The players
Jonathan Lozano
Owner of the independent food service brands Aura Bowls and Waffles and the Meridian-based food trailer operator Candela Viva.
Boise Towne Square
The primary regional shopping mall in Boise, Idaho, which is currently undergoing a shift in its food court vendor composition.
The details
Aura Bowls and Waffles will take over the space vacated after the closures of Häagen-Dazs and Cinnabon earlier this summer. The shop's menu will focus on a range of casual offerings, including ice cream, waffles, fruit bowls, slushies, and strawberries. The expansion marks a physical footprint increase for owner Jonathan Lozano, who also operates the Meridian-based food trailer Candela Viva.
Timeline
Häagen-Dazs closed its Boise Towne Square location in Summer 2026.
Aura Bowls and Waffles expects to open in mid-October 2026.
Market Landscape
The arrival of Aura Bowls and Waffles follows the 2026 opening of Jurassic Burger at Boise Towne Square. This trend marks a shift toward independent operators filling vacancies left by national food court chains.
Operators should monitor the vendor mix in high-traffic regional malls as a signal for shifting consumer demand toward independent, specialized menu concepts. Owners looking to expand footprint should evaluate lease terms in vacated mall spaces that may offer reduced build-out costs.
The takeaway
The move demonstrates that regional malls are increasingly relying on local entrepreneurs to maintain food court occupancy. Keep an eye on local commercial real estate listings in your area to identify similar opportunities for footprint expansion in high-footfall retail environments.
Further reading
For more on regional retail shifts, visit Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Idaho Statesman.
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