By Emmy Powell, Net News Editor
As pickleball continues to thrive across America, owners and operators of pickleball facilities are getting creative to bring more people to see what they have to offer.
Pickle and Social Gwinnett features six indoor courts, two pavilion covered, and eight outdoor pickleball courts, along with a variety of options to engage in the fastest-growing sport in the world. Each court is professionally constructed with true asphalt and dedicated nets. Play with your friends or compete with lessons, leagues, and tournaments. You also can play on the ACL Cornhole Yard and Central Park with all the other yard games offered.
Chris Wolfe, who is widely known in the pickleball world, is Pickle and Social’s Director of Pickleball. He says the Gwinnett facility’s hours of operation are a great fit for people in the Buford area. “Players can come in the early morning or late afternoon. Whether it’s friendly competition or league play, we have something for everyone,” he said. Wolfe adds they also offer some of the best food in town. “We have a great chef and some great food choices year-round.”
The place is packed on the weekends, and they offer social themed nights, such as Halloween and other holiday parties, poker nights, rewards programs, and a Heroes’ program which gives discounts to veterans and first responders, among many others.
It’s also the perfect place for beginners to learn how to play, and it’s a great fit for corporate outings. There is a charitable component to this unique facility as well. On the day we caught up with Wolfe, there was a charity tournament during open play organized by the Lilburn Women’s Club to benefit Family Promise of Gwinnett County. The organization helps homeless families by providing an overnight shelter in addition to resources to change their lives. “We offer a 30- to 90-day program to help them get jobs, assist with life skills, and increase their personal wealth,” says Carol Love, executive director of Family Promise. She says the volunteers are what make the organization so successful. “We have so many success stories, and it’s great to see the lives we have changed through the years.” The players who participated seemed glad to come together for a good cause, while engaging in some friendly, fun competition.
This facility opened in December of last year. Look for the Alpharetta location at Ga. 400 and Haynes Bridge to open in late 2025. Learn more at pickleandsocialgwinnett.com.
