Support provided by Northwell’s Mather Hospital, which delivers the five-star difference in exceptional care and is ranked by Medicare in the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for overall clinical performance and patient experience.
From discount deals to dink shots, the cavernous Centereach Mall space that was once home to Big Lots is set to serve up a different kind of retail therapy.
The Picklr, a fast-growing indoor pickleball franchise, announced Wednesday it is transforming the former big-box retail spot into a giant pickleball club that will open this fall.
The 33,900-square-foot Picklr club at 217 Middle Country Road will feature 10 professional-grade courts, a full pro shop and private event spaces. It will be the franchise’s first Long Island location.
“We expect to announce additional club locations soon,” said Tom Neale, a Syosset resident and founder of Arete Sports Group, the franchisee with The Picklr rights for Long Island. “Part of our mission is to uplift people’s lives through the sport of pickleball and to contribute to the growth of the sport.”
The new club is part of The Picklr’s ambitious national expansion, with plans to open more than 475 locations and approximately 4,750 courts in the coming years, the business said.
Open and league play
The Centereach facility will offer unlimited open play, league competitions, tournaments and the option for private and semi-private lessons with certified trainers. A unique benefit includes membership access to all The Picklr locations nationwide.
The Big Lots legacy
The location’s transformation also marks the end of an era for Big Lots, a discount retailer that had been a Long Island staple, with numerous locations across Suffolk and Nassau counties.
The chain struggled in recent years amid retail challenges and changing consumer habits, filing for bankruptcy last year and subsequently closing hundreds of its stores, including locations in Centereach, Carle Place and Bay Shore.
In December, the retail chain announced going out of business sales at all of its locations, including the remaining Long Island stores in Hicksville, Copiague, West Babylon and Holbrook.
Photos: Courtesy of The Picklr
