Northpark Mall Welcomes Pickleball: The Shoppes at Northpark in northwest Oklahoma City is set to reach near full occupancy with the addition of a pickleball facility and a new family-friendly restaurant and pub. At a time when many malls are struggling with empty storefronts, these additions aim to attract more visitors and revitalize the space.
Restaurateur Matt Glenn is leading the new venture, Northpark Pickleball, which will transform the former Northpark Cinema into a pickleball venue. The facility will feature six indoor and outdoor courts, replacing an underused surface parking area with green space. A restaurant and bar will also be added in the former B.C. Clark Jewelers space, offering Roman-style pizza by the slice and a self-service drink system using wristbands.
A Bold Shift from Movie Theater to Pickleball Hub
The space that once housed Northpark Cinema, the city’s oldest movie theater until it closed in 2019, is now being repurposed for the pickleball venue.
Kevyn Colburn, vice president of mall owner Tom Morris Enterprises, shared that multiple theater operators had proposed grand renovation plans, but estimated costs of up to $10 million made reopening the cinema unfeasible, especially given the ongoing struggles of the movie theater industry following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Instead, the pickleball courts will bring new energy to the east side of the mall, an area that previously saw less foot traffic. The restaurant and bar are expected to enhance the experience for visitors, making Northpark a more dynamic destination.
How a Search for Indoor Tennis Led to Pickleball
Glenn’s original idea was to create an indoor tennis facility, inspired by his son’s need for a space to train for Memorial High School’s tennis team. While exploring available locations, his wife suggested that what Northpark really needed was pickleball courts.
That idea quickly took shape, and now, two years later, construction has begun. Theater seats are being removed, and the transformation is underway.
The Hamilton’s Success Inspires Growth
The expansion aligns with the success of The Hamilton, a speakeasy-style restaurant that has proven that businesses can thrive on the less visible east side of the mall. The Hamilton, operated by J. Mays and the same group behind Café 7, opened in 2019 just months before the pandemic hit but managed to survive thanks to strong neighborhood support and a convenient location for takeout and delivery services.
“The Hamilton changed everything on that. When J. Mays (operator of Hamilton) called me, he said he was interested in the space that was S.J. Haggard because of the “H” on the gate and that it could be done as a speakeasy. That’s what sold him and it’s been unbelievable. It’s been a huge success.” – (Colburn)
Mays is excited about the addition of the pickleball courts near The Hamilton, as well as the beautification of the east side of Northpark that will come with it.
New Sports Tavern to Boost Occupancy Further
Mays’ next project at Northpark, Bush League Sports Tavern, will bring the mall’s occupancy to 96% when it opens alongside Northpark Pickleball. Located in the former Rococo restaurant space, Bush League Sports Tavern will cater to families and sports fans with golf simulators, a patio, and multiple game-viewing areas.
“It will be a family-centered sports experience. Family-friendly food and drink, games, all the things that would make a family to come out and eat. There aren’t a lot of places that cater to families, just places that have a kid’s menu.” – (Mays)
Mays aims to start construction soon, with an opening planned for later this year. The tavern will feature eight zones of audio, allowing different sports games to be played throughout the venue, with a potential online calendar to help guests plan their visits.
“You might come out and find there is an OU game being place in one space and OSU in another. The hardest part is to pick which games to play and which ones not to play. I’m hoping to have an online calendar of games so people can plan out their visits.” – (Mays)
A Bright Future for Northpark
The introduction of Northpark Pickleball and Bush League Sports Tavern signals a major shift for the mall, turning it into a more interactive and family-friendly destination. These additions follow the success of The Hamilton and show that Northpark is evolving beyond traditional retail to embrace entertainment and recreation.
With construction already underway and new businesses set to open soon, Northpark is on track to become a lively hub for dining, sports, and leisure activities in northwest Oklahoma City.
News in Brief: Northpark Mall Welcomes Pickleball
The Shoppes at Northpark in northwest Oklahoma City is nearing full occupancy with the addition of Northpark Pickleball and Bush League Sports Tavern. The pickleball facility will transform the former Northpark Cinema into an indoor and outdoor sports venue with a restaurant and bar. Bush League Sports Tavern will provide a family-friendly sports experience with golf simulators and multi-zone sports viewing. These developments aim to revitalize the mall and make it a top destination for entertainment and dining.
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