Coming up aces: Here’s when a tennis, pickleball shop plans to open in Five Points
Through its more than 100 years as a key urban village near downtown Columbia, the Five Points district has played host to scores of businesses and services, from restaurants to gas stations to funky clothing boutiques to skateboard shops and, of course, the fabled late night bars that have long been a draw to students from the nearby University of South Carolina.
But now a new question is set to be asked in the neighborhood: “Tennis, anyone?”
Break Point Cola, a shop that will offer a plethora of items related to tennis and pickleball, is planning to open at 719 Saluda Ave. That’s in the space that was formerly home to Purple Haze vape shop. Break Point Cola owner Lisa Barrett said she is aiming to have the shop open in August.
Barrett has been a tennis enthusiast since her youth. She played junior tennis as a youngster and now plays in competitive adult leagues. As she has seen popularity of both tennis and pickleball continue to rise, Barrett noted the need for a shop that caters to local players.
“What we observed playing tennis, and also pickleball, is a kind of unmet demand in this town,” she said. “(Tennis) is a growing sport, and pickleball is, too. Between that and tennis being my passion, it just seemed like an opportunity to create something that is fun.”
Break Point Cola will sell tennis rackets and pickleball paddles, balls, and the latest in shoes and apparel for the sports. The business will also string tennis rackets.
“The goal is to fill the store with apparel that is moving up in popularity, and also carry all of the basic tennis and pickleball equipment,” Barrett said.
Barrett said her boyfriend of several years, Columbia tennis instructor Adam VanLoan, will be helping with numerous aspects of the shop, as well.
Pickleball has exploded in popularity in the U.S. According to National Geographic, the sport has nearly 5 million players across the nation, a number 40% higher than 2020. The Sports and Fitness Industry Association tabbed it the fastest growing sport in the country.
As noted by USA Pickleball, the sport can be played indoors and outdoors, and it combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. Matches can be played in singles or doubles, and the game has proven popular with both young and old players.
Across its more than a century as one of Columbia’s highlight districts, Five Points has always evolved. And its current evolution has included an infusion of new shops and restaurants, among them the Flying Biscuit Cafe in upper Five Points, the independent All Good Books on Harden Street and the coming Ruby Sunshine brunch restaurant that is planned for the spot where Yesterdays restaurant once was.
Barrett says Break Point Cola is close to her home — she lives just a couple blocks away — and she’s excited to be a part of the district’s current vibe.
“I love the Five Points energy,” she said. “All the retail establishments, their store owners are great. It seems like the kind of place where you can do your own thing with your shop and it’s appreciated, and I like that. There are so many cool stores.”
