New Indoor Pickleball, Juice Bar Business Coming To Atlantic Co.

VENTNOR HEIGHTS, NJ — As pickleball continues its run as one of America's new favorite pastimes, a new business concept will open for lovers of the sport to relax and refresh.

New Jersey-based Pickle Juice is opening facilities in Blackwood and Ventnor Heights with pickleball courts and a fresh juice bar. Both Pickle Juice locations are planned to open in summer 2023.

Co-owner and founder Lisa Brody has been an avid pickleball player for years, the company said in a news release, and had an idea to start this new venture.

“Almost every day for five years, I’d say to my husband - I’m going to go play Pickle and grab a juice,” Brody said. “And then I thought… that’s a great name and concept to open up some courts with a juice bar!”

Pickle Juice signed a lease with MLG Realty for the indoor facilities, a news release from the company said. The Ventnor Heights facility, located at 5000-5100 Wellington Avenue will be 17,316 square feet and will offer five courts.

"The properties are being outfitted and designed to create a unique, intimate Pickleball playing atmosphere, with fresh juices and smoothies available to players and guests," Pickle Juice said in a news release. "Each location promises to serve up an experience for everyone from junior players to the most loyal and advanced Picklers."

Pickle Juice said the following amenities will be available at each location:

• Membership packages
• Juice bar offering seasonal fresh fruit and ingredients
• Pro shop with retail options from apparel to paddles
• Open play
• Clinics
• Tournaments
• Private and group lessons

The Pickle Juice team hopes to open more than 15 locations in the next three to five years, Brody said in the news release.

“Our vision was to make people feel welcome when they walk in,” said Brody. “The unique design elements of the space will bring the feeling of the outdoors in, and the refreshing juice bar will give players the opportunity to energize while they sit and stay or grab and go.”

This article contains additional reporting by Michelle Rotuno-Johnson.