Westland’s coming-soon pickle-ball facility will be top-notch

 Westland’s coming-soon pickle-ball facility will be top-notch

The soon-to-open Wicked Pickle is located at 36871 Warren Road in Westland.

A long-vacant 33,000-square-foot retail space in Westland is in the midst of being converted into a place where pickle-ball aficionados from throughout southeast Michigan can get their serve on.

Co-founder Ron Stern, the owner of a West Bloomfield-based construction company, and his business partner, Bill Shapiro of Boston, are bringing an indoor pickle-ball facility — Wicked Pickle — to 36871 Warren Road.

The projected grand opening for Wicked Pickle will be “late-March or early-April”, Stern confirmed Monday afternoon.

Pickle ball is considered the fastest-growing sport in the United States; however, the demand for courts has far exceeded the supply, especially in metro-Detroit.

‘Westland is a perfect site’

“When we researched the metro-Detroit area for a possible location, we found that Westland would be a perfect site,” said Stern. “It will be convenient for Westland residents who play pickle ball, and it will be just a short drive for people from several surrounding communities like Livonia, Plymouth and Canton.

“The City of Westland leadership has been great to work with. We’re getting more excited as the grand opening day approaches.”

Wicked Pickle will open inside a long vacant retail space at 36871 Warren Road
Wicked Pickle will open inside a long vacant retail space at 36871 Warren Road

Initial plans call for Wicked Pickle to have 10 indoor courts and a furnished leisure area where players can congregate before or after they play.

Stern and Shapiro are working on acquiring a tavern liquor license so they can sell beer and wine in their facility.

Business will host multiple fun events

“It’s going to be a great place to host birthday parties, business get-togethers and a place where pickle-ball players young and old can congregate to enjoy the sport that is growing by the day,” Stern said.

Wicked Pickle will host leagues, tournaments and drop-in play, Stern emphasized, with memberships available, but not mandatory. The business will also offer lessons delivered by experienced pickle ball pros, Stern added, and have a pro shop where pickle ball gear can be purchased.

Stern said he is working with the City of Westland decision-makers to potentially add outdoor courts in an open area just east of the property at 36871 Warren Road.

Name change

The founders initially wanted to name their business The Detroit Pickle Ball Company, but someone had already secured the rights to that name.

“When it came to finding a Plan B name, we discussed it and my 23-year-old daughter actually came up with the name Wicked Pickle, which Bill and I loved,” Stern said. “It turns out we’re kind of happy the first name fell through because Wicked Pickle is a catchier name.”

Stern and Shapiro designed the eye-catching logo.

Social House News will provide updates on the business’s grand opening as details become available.

Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.

Ed Wright

Related post