When you step inside Pickle Parlor, it’s hard to imagine that just a year ago, it was an empty 10,000-square-foot former Ulta Beauty store in the Monroeville Mall. But thanks to co-founders David Work, Christopher Russell and Bryan Kiger, what was once unused space has been transformed into one of Pittsburgh’s most exciting indoor pickleball experiences, and now, a proud DUPR Verified Club.

From Idea to Reality

The concept began with a simple idea: turn vacant retail space into something the community could enjoy.

“We’ve got a little bit of experience in turning retail spaces into community benefit spaces,” Bryan shared. “Pickleball, being the fastest-growing sport in the country, seemed like a natural fit.”

David, Christopher and Bryan joined forces, balancing their development background with their pickleball passion, and launched Pickle Parlor officially in February 2025. What started as a community experiment has quickly become a hub for social play, skill development, and digital innovation.

A 24/7 Pickleball Experience

Pickle Parlor runs on a fully autonomous model powered by Pod Play, meaning players can book courts and play 24 hours a day, 7 days a week  without any staff required. The venue’s reservation-based system makes it easy for anyone to drop in, play, and enjoy the sport without friction.

But as demand grew, so did player expectations. “We realized that players wanted more programming , not just court time,” David explained. “They wanted structure, coaching, and community.”

That realization led to a new chapter: hiring four coaches who are getting their DUPR Coach certifications, building out clinics and leagues, and introducing “Coach Open Play,” which are  supervised play sessions that blend casual fun with on-court tips from certified instructors.

Becoming a DUPR Verified Club

In September 2025, Pickle Parlor became a DUPR Verified Club, a move that gives players the chance to earn reliable ratings through the Pod Play–DUPR integration. Players can now choose to make any match count towards their DUPR rating, without the need to log in the scores themselves.

“We wanted to differentiate ourselves from other local clubs,” Ryan said. “Being DUPR Verified gives us that edge. It’s giving more value to our players, something no one else in our area is offering right now.”

For players, that means they’ll have access to DUPR Verified Events, which carry extra weight toward their ratings, along with an ad-free experience on the DUPR App and special pickleball discounts. All of it simply comes with being a member at Pickle Parlor.

“Going DUPR Verified wasn’t just about ratings,” Bryan added. “It’s also about visibility. DUPR helps us reach more players, connect with the local pickleball community, and put Pickle Parlor on the map. It’s been a real marketing boost for us.”

Digital Scoring and Instant Replays

What truly sets Pickle Parlor apart is its digital scoring system. Players can track scores, service order, and even watch 30-second instant replays of their best rallies. It’s perfect for social media clips, reviewing line calls, or just reliving a great point.

If you have a standout point that deserves to be featured, send it our way;  it might become our Point of the Week. Click here to submit it.

“Some of our favorite moments come from players watching their own highlight reels,” David laughed. “We even had a high school group record their own mini round-robins with bets and celebrations.”

Building the Next Generation of Pickleballers

Pickle Parlor is investing in the next wave of players. Their upcoming after-school program will introduce middle and high school students to the sport, with potential DUPR- high school tournaments on the horizon.

“It’s amazing to see how many young players are getting into pickleball,” said Bryan. “We already have high schoolers running their own tournaments here. We want to give them more opportunities to grow.”

Interested in running official High School Pickleball Events? Click here. 

The Vision Ahead

“Our goal is to replicate this model in similar communities,” David said. “We want to keep creating spaces that bring people together, give them a place to play, and make pickleball accessible to everyone.”

Until then, Pickle Parlor will keep doing what it does best: creating a fun, social, and tech-powered pickleball experience, all under the same roof where beauty products once stood.

If you are interested in becoming a DUPR Verified Club, click here to apply. 

‍