San Antonio’s Pickleball Scene: Two local pickleball retailers in San Antonio have closed their doors over the holidays, despite the sport’s rapid growth across America. Pickleball Giant, located off Loop 1604 and Bitters Road, and Love-15 Tennis and Pickleball in Stone Oak ceased operations after two years.
These closures have disappointed local pickleball enthusiasts, who valued these stores for their unique offerings and personal service. Chandler Eyre, a five-year pickleball player, expressed sadness at the loss, stating,
“Nearly everyone I knew loved to go [to Pickleball Giant] to demo paddles, interact with staff, and it became a sort of staple among many players I knew.” – (Chandler Eyre)
“I do still feel like there are good options to find gear, but the sentiment I gathered from everyone was that they were sad to see it go — and surprised.” – (Chandler Eyre)
Challenges Faced by Local Retailers
Ramon Florez, a pickleball instructor at LifeTime Fitness, often recommended both stores to new players looking for paddles. He emphasized the importance of personal service that local retailers provided.
“It’s sad — I wish more players would support local businesses.” – (Ramon Florez)
Despite the closures, he noted that the San Antonio pickleball community continues to thrive, with strong attendance in introductory classes at LifeTime.
Local entrepreneur Jennifer Block, owner of Epoch Pickleball, opened an indoor facility in August. She reported steady growth in court rentals and memberships, indicating a healthy pickleball environment.
“The [pickleball] community here has been very welcoming, we love the community.” – (Jennifer Block)
“We carry one or two of each paddle and that’s really it. So many people buy their gear either online or directly from a manufacturer, and the manufacturers are able to offer really low deals that are incredibly difficult to counter.” – (Jennifer Block)
E-Commerce and Market Trends
Experts believe that e-commerce has significantly affected local retail. Michael Castillo, owner of FIT High Performance Tennis Academy, mentioned that many people prefer to buy equipment online, making it difficult for brick-and-mortar stores to compete.
“It was probably difficult for Pickleball Giant to have a high enough profit margin.” – (Michael Castillo)
Additionally, ongoing construction on Loop 1604 may have negatively impacted sales at Love-15 Tennis and Pickleball. The $1.4 billion Loop 1604 North Expansion project, which began in May 2021, is expected to last until 2028.
A Bright Spot in the Industry
While some local retailers are closing, Gearbox, a California-based company specializing in high-tech pickleball equipment, is thriving. CEO Rafael Filippini noted that their sales continue to grow and emphasized the strength of the local pickleball market.
“Overall, the pickleball market here is healthy and continues to grow. Competition amongst brands is strong — but that is separate from pickleball participation.” – (Filippini)
Rich Flores, owner of First Serve Tennis, hopes to fill the gap left by the closures. He has seen an increase in inquiries about pickleball paddles since Pickleball Giant shut down.
“I didn’t want to jump in his lane. But since they closed their doors, we’ve had an uptick in the phone calls asking if we carry pickleball paddles.” – (Rich Flores)
The closures of Pickleball Giant and Love-15 Tennis and Pickleball represent a challenge for local enthusiasts, but the ongoing growth of pickleball in San Antonio shows promise for the future. With new facilities and increased participation, the community remains optimistic about the sport’s trajectory.
News in Brief: San Antonio’s Pickleball Scene
Two San Antonio pickleball retailers, Pickleball Giant and Love-15 Tennis and Pickleball, have closed despite the sport’s growth. Local players are disappointed by the loss of personal service and unique offerings.
Experts attribute the closures to e-commerce competition and ongoing construction impacting sales. However, new facilities like Epoch Pickleball are thriving, indicating a bright future for the local pickleball community.
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