April 21, 2026
Headlines

pickleball

The Pickle Lodge Ensures Member Satisfaction with Court Time Availability

Amy Busse16 mins

With over 1,700 paying members and thousands of drop-in members, The Pickle Lodge in Cincinnati, Ohio, has found a successful formula for keeping its 17 indoor courts full and their membership steady. 

Player Experience Coordinator Ethan Shutte says keeping members happy is key to their success. 

“We make sure the members have what they need and put them first by catering to them as much as possible,” he says. 

Since its soft opening in June of 2023, The Pickle Lodge has used the Court Reserve booking system that allows all players to select their own court time. Ethan says the system is easy to use and every player is encouraged to download the app in order to book through their phone. Players who don’t want to use the app can also book online through the website. The app allows players to book open play, round-robins, clinics, leagues and lessons. Ethan says he hasn’t heard any complaints from members about the app that proves it’s working as it should.

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The Kitchen Spreads Through Utah With Streamlined Business Model

Joseph Peshek07 mins

The Kitchen is a Utah-based pickleball franchise quickly spreading through the state. Their facility designs are smaller and more intimate, but their impact on the Utah pickleball scene has been significant. The owners of the Kitchen save loads of their time and energy by installing small, self-running facilities that require little to no employee maintenance. Efficient, low-maintenance facilities are the key to the Kitchen’s unique business model.

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Vision Casting and Value Setting for Your Club

Emma Jane110 mins

Because so much of a club’s identity over time hinges on the initial vision casting from its founders and core values that stem from this vision, being purposeful about vision and values is crucial to a club’s origin story. In this article, we get to hear from three new clubs in various parts of the country on how they initially determined their club’s vision and values, setting them on a successful course to effectively communicate their mission with their community.

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The Jan/Feb 2025 Issue Is Here!

Riley Watkins03 mins

At Preston Playhouse, their approach to hosting has set a new standard, drawing players, sponsors, and excitement that keeps their club busy. Meanwhile, Epic Pickleball shares their secrets to hiring great employees, outlining five key attributes that ensure a team is not just skilled but also aligned with a club’s culture and long-term vision.

Branding plays a critical role in a club’s identity, and The Pickleball Factory is a prime example of how strong brand presence fosters loyalty and engagement within a community. Similarly, The Pickle Bar is stepping into their players’ needs by taking an opportunistic approach to retail. 

Beyond business strategies, we’re also looking at how location and facility size impact player experience. Santa Lucia Preserve, with its breathtaking natural setting, is drawing players who crave both competition and connection with the outdoors. Back towards the middle of the country, The Grove is proving that even a two-court facility can become a thriving hub for pickleball by focusing on community-first initiatives.

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Pickleball Warehouse in Pittsburgh Prides Itself on an Open Play Model Every Day

Amy Busse06 mins

The newly opened Pickleball Warehouse in Pittsburgh is based on the idea of the fun, spontaneity and fellowship of open play. Since July 2024, Pickleball Warehouse has been Pittsburgh’s largest indoor pickleball facility with two private courts and 17 courts dedicated to open play.

Husband and wife Bryan Wigginton and Alexa Gervasi saw a gap in the pickleball market with a lack of indoor playing space. With that observation, the idea for Pickleball Warehouse started to form. Nearly six months into the open play business model they are having a great time and their players seem to feel the same way.

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Custom Mobile App Enhances Austin Pickle Ranch Membership Experience

Emma Jane08 mins

Dedicated to “Keeping Pickleball Weird” in the city of Austin, Texas, Austin Pickle Ranch provides members a unique and elevated pickleball experience beginning with member’s interaction with their custom app even before stepping into their facility. Austin Pickle Ranch is a pickleball entertainment venue located in the heart of Austin and serving up pickleball fun to members and guests. The purpose of the Austin Pickle Ranch app is to “optimize communication, streamline court booking, and foster a stronger sense of community among [their] members,” according to Tim Klitch, Austin Pickle Ranch’s Chief Fun Officer and Co-Founder.

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