Last summer, Utah-headquartered The Picklr unveiled plans to open its first New Jersey location. Now, the indoor pickleball franchise is announcing the grand opening date. 

Located in a former Bed Bath & Beyond store in the Kohl’s Plaza Shopping Center, The Picklr Manahawkin-LBI (Long Beach Island) will officially open its doors March 15. 

The 22,500-square-foot club features: 

• Seven professional-quality courts equipped with sound-reducing baffle matrix systems and performance lighting 
• Full-service pro shop 
• Café 
• Lounge 
• Locker rooms 

Last year, franchisee Arete Sports Group signed a lease for the space at 205 Route 72 W., marking The Picklr’s official expansion into the New Jersey/New York market. 

“The outpouring of excitement and support since announcing our plans in August has been truly remarkable,” club owner and longtime Surf City resident Tom Neale said in a Feb. 19 statement. “The Picklr isn’t just another place to play, it’s a pickleball community hub.” 

Scott Schubiger, chief growth officer for The Picklr and Neale’s business partner, told NJBIZ on Feb. 20 that the Manahawkin club is the first of 16 locations planned for the New Jersey/New York metro area. Schubiger said the brand plans to have 30 locations open throughout the greater New York metro and Garden State area over the next four to five years.

Come on down

To mark the grand opening, The Picklr Manahawkin-LBI will host an open house from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. March 15. The community is invited to the event that will feature tailgating, a DJ, music, food trucks, open play, free clinics, discounts on merchandise and more.   

Raffles will take place from 11 a.m. to noon, before the ceremonial ribbon cutting.   

The club is also offering private tours for those interested in a membership, which includes unlimited play, four free clinics, four free guest passes per month and more. More information is available here. 

The Picklr currently has more than 390 state-of-the-art clubs sold nationwide. Arete Sports Group holds The Picklr franchise rights in areas of New Jersey and New York, including Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens. 

Fast-growing sport(s)

The Picklr is one of several new options for fans of the sport. Recently, other pickleball centers have announced new locations, including: 

• Dill Dinkers: An anticipated 20 locations throughout North Jersey and New York’s Hudson Valley
• Pickleball Kingdom: Planning a 20-club rollout, including a Marlboro Township and Hamilton facility
• Sussex County’s first pickleball center
• Robbinsville Pickle House: The largest pickleball complex in the the Northeast

For those wanting the try the next latest sports craze, there’s a also new padel facility to check out. Taking over a 36,000-square-foot former warehouse in Cresskill, Padel United Sports Club features seven indoor courts, a café and retail shop. Its state-of-the-art, 8,000-square-foot wellness center also recently opened at the club.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 12:50 p.m. ET Feb. 20, 2025, to include the brand’s future plans for the region.