An indoor pickleball chain has designs on Tacoma. Here’s what we know
Story has been updated April 11 with additional details.
You might have seen the headlines this week that discount retailer Big Lots is returning under new ownership in some states.
That’s not happening in Washington, but at least one former Tacoma location appears to be gaining a new tenant.
Last summer, Big Lots operated 26 stores in Washington state and around 900 nationwide. Its former store at 2401 N. Pearl St. in the Westgate South shopping center was the last of its stores in Pierce County to close late last year.
That location now appears to be the future home for The Picklr, a Utah-based chain of indoor pickleball facilities.
The Tacoma franchise launched its social media last month. The Tacoma Picklr website to sign up members also is online.
Initial information for permitting was started by an applicant to the City of Tacoma on April 8 but has not yet been completed/submitted, according to the online permit portal.
Beau Brooks, the local franchise co-owner, told The News Tribune on Friday via email that “We plan to be open by late summer/early fall. We will have 12 total courts and two championship courts.”
An accompanying release stated that the “new club is a part of The Picklr’s national expansion, including more than 475 new locations with roughly 4,750 courts being built over the next few years.”
The 43,000 square-foot Picklr will feature “high-quality proprietary outdoor surfacing” along with a pro shop and private event space, the release noted.
The Tacoma site would be the brand’s second Washington state location. The other is listed in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood, and its opening is also listed online as “TBD.”
What’s happening to Big Lots?
Meanwhile, Variety Wholesalers acquired 219 Big Lots locations nationwide after Big Lots’ bankruptcy and recently announced it is reopening nine stores across six states on Thursday (April 10) — Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, with the rest of its stores reopening in waves through the year.
In response to questions from The News Tribune, a media representative for the Variety Wholesalers stated via email Tuesday, “We have not acquired any Big Lots locations in Washington state.”
This story was originally published April 10, 2025 at 2:18 PM.
