"Pickleball Takes Over Vacant Retail Spaces in US Malls"

Pickleball, America's fastest-growing sport, is replacing vacant spaces left by shuttered stores like Bed Bath & Beyond and Old Navy in some US malls. Malls are looking for new tenants to fill empty spaces and attract customers beyond traditional department store anchors and clothing stores. Pickleball offers a fun, social experience that consumers crave after years of limited gatherings during the pandemic. The sport's rapid growth has created dilemmas for public parks and recreation departments, which must balance competing interests with often limited space and funds. Pickleball facilities are opening in malls, where players can play and then grab a bite to eat or do some shopping.