NEWS PROVIDED BY: AXIOS CHARLOTTE
MASSIVE INDOOR PICKLEBALL CLUB COMING TO NORTH TRYON
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The Picklr, the premier indoor pickleball club with locations across the country, will open on North Tryon Street in Charlotte in late December.
Why it matters: The Picklr will be part of a redevelopment project that will energize an area just outside of Uptown.
State of play: The Picklr will encompass the entire West building at Foundation Supply in the Lockwood neighborhood, which sits between Optimist Park, NoDa and Camp North End.
The former business center at 1801 N. Tryon St. has several new tenants, including Inner Peaks, an indoor climbing gym, and The Casey, an event venue and Starbucks.
What to expect: The more than 54,000-square-foot space will include at least 15 pickleball courts, a sound reduction system above the courts, a pro shop, locker rooms and showers, private event areas, a second-story viewing mezzanine, and grab-and-go food and drinks.
- A monthly membership includes unlimited access to courts, leagues and tournaments, plus four clinics a month and four monthly guest passes, and nationwide access to other locations.
- You're expected to bring your own paddle and balls, but they'll have some available.
- Eventually, they'll host professional pickleball events.
- It'll be open from 6am until midnight.
Cost: The Picklr features and all-inclusive membership.
- Standrad membership will be $149 per person, per month.
- Founding members will pay $119 per month.
- Daily drop-ins are $30 and good for the whole day.
Zoom out: Charlotte is on track to have two pickleball eateries by the end of the year: Rally, which opened in 2023, and Tipsy Pickle, which will open at Camp North End.
The Picklr, however, is "purely pickleball" rather than entertainment, Jay Sartori, WAYMOR Sports Co-Founder and Chief Branding Officer, tells Axios.
Context: The Picklr, headquartered in Kaysville, Utah, was founded in 2021 and began franchising in March 2023, as CBJ reported. It has attracted franchise owners like former NFL quarterback, Drew Brees.
WAYMOR Sports, based in Fredericksburg, Virginia, is The Picklr's largest franchise operator, Sartori says. They currently have two locations open, one in Blaine, Minnesota and Naperville, Illinois, with six more clubs currently under construction and opening this year.
They typically repurpose big-box stores, including a former Bed, Bath & Beyond, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Office Max, but some of their projects, like Naples and Fort Myers, FL, are new builds.
Charlotte's location will be one of the larger ones for the brand.
The big picture: Summer in the South will be particularly busy for The Picklr as people try to escape the heat.
WAYMOR Sports has 12 locations in design or under construction, including one in Columbia, S.C., which should open this Winter.
They plan to open roughly 60 locations in the Southeast, with three locations in Chicago and another three in Minneapolis.
The courts in Charlotte will be modeled after courts in Kaysville, Utah, pictured here. Rendering: Courtesy of WAYMOR Sports
ABOUT THE PICKLR:
At The Picklr, pickleball is more than just a sport; it's a lifestyle that fosters community, competition, and fun. With over 300 state-of-the-art clubs, professional coaching, and a vibrant atmosphere, The Picklr offers an unparalleled pickleball experience for players of all skill levels. All locations provide professional-grade outdoor surfacing, best-in-class technology, and access to free leagues, tournaments, and clinics. Follow The Picklr on Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok for news on locations and tournaments, or visit https://thepicklr.com/franchise/ to learn more about owning a franchise.
Media Contact:
Ashley Mahoney
Axios Charlotte
ashley.mahoney@axios.com
SOURCE Axios Charlotte