Dinks Galore: The Picklr Opens in McKinney Shopping Center

The opening of The Picklr represents a strong upgrade in terms of tenant quality at the Trader Joe’s-anchored center, Whitestone said.

Whitestone REIT COO Christine Mastandrea said the company is “thrilled to welcome The Picklr to Eldorado Plaza and capitalize on the strong wave of interest in pickleball.”

When looking to fill the former Bed, Bath and Beyond space, Mastandrea said Whitestone REIT “wanted to partner with an exciting brand that is benefiting from the health and fitness trend and draws traffic to the center, and that’s exactly what The Picklr will do.”

“No sport brings people together quite like Pickleball,” she said in a statement.

We first told you about The Picklr in September.

Pickleball facilities popping up here, there, everywhere

The Picklr in McKinney joins a widening community of indoor pickleball companies. In May, indoor pickleball facility company Dill Dinkers announced its 14th regional development deal with local business partners who have committed to open “at least 50 locations” in the North Texas area—including in Euless, Southlake, Keller, Frisco, Little Elm, McKinney, and Mansfield.

Maryland-based Dill Dinkers joins a growing list of other pickleball venues already operating in or coming to North Texas—including Pickleball Kingdom in Plano, Pickle and Social in Frisco, Picklemall in Dallas, and The Picklr in Dallas and Fort Worth.

Anchored by Trader Joe’s, Starbucks, Hollywood Feed, and Christina’s Mexican Restaurant, The Picklr at Eldorado Plaza adds a key category, athletics, to the current lineup of businesses, Whitesone said.

Along with increasing Eldorado’s foot traffic, The Picklr helps the center better meet the needs of the surrounding community with a best in-class operator capitalizing on a sport designed to draw together people of all ages.

The Picklr announced that 38 new clubs will open across the U.S., with 52 additional leases in final negotiations for openings in 2024 and 2025.

In February, The Picklr said that former NFL quarterback Drew Brees, one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the NFL, was named brand ambassador, along with being an investor, as well as owner/area developer of 20 Picklr franchises.

The Picklr has announced a strategic partnership with Pickleball Inc., aligning two of the largest brands in pickleball and set to drive franchise growth and new memberships at Picklr locations.

‘Explosive growth’ in McKinney

Whitestone bought Eldorado Plaza in 2017.

In 2023, Whitestone recaptured the remaining Bed Bath and Beyond lease during that retailer’s bankruptcy process

“McKinney is experiencing explosive growth,” Mastandrea said. “Surrounded by Frisco, Allen and Plano, the entire area continues to benefit from being a very business friendly environment and is steadily attracting companies and young families.”

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