Pickleball’s national chokehold on society continues, and two Columbus entrepreneurs are all in.
Steve Pyle and Donald Barksdale are jumping in on the sport’s massive popularity by opening a brand-new indoor pickleball court and recreation facility in Columbus. More than a year ago, Barksdale purchased the old John Deere building at 2223 Tufline Road, giving the duo about 26,000 square feet to work with.
“(Donald) was looking for an idea,” Pyle said. “I got into playing pickleball a couple of years ago and since then, it’s just grown tremendously. Me and Donald got to talking, tossed the idea around on Facebook, and it blew up.”
Still in the early stages, Pyle and Barksdale are hyped. They hope to eventually host regional tournaments and offer lessons for beginners. Their current concept features 10 to 12 indoor courts, a concession area serving up sodas, nachos and snacks, and a separate recreation space for those looking to play a round of darts or pool.
“I love to play pool,” Barksdale said. “But I don’t like to play at the bar because of all the cigarette smoke. I know there’s a lot of folks who like to play but don’t want to go to a bar.”
Both owners emphasized that they want to create a space that is entirely community-oriented and family-friendly, meaning the facility will not sell alcohol.
I always say pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America, but it’s not just a saying. In 2020, a little more than 4 million people were playing the sport nationwide. With a 479% increase, there are now more than 24 million active players, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association’s participation report. To give you a bit of perspective, pickleball now boasts more participants than baseball, soccer or softball and is gearing up to pass tennis players.
Having a place to play out of the elements will be a massive game-changer for local players.
“We know there’s times, just like this weekend with the rain, and sometimes the heat is just brutal,” Pyle said. “It’s good to have a climate-controlled environment, and with the way it’s growing, courts are still going to stay packed.”
Pyle and Barksdale are still moving through the early phases of development, but they are fully committed to building a facility for folks throughout the Columbus area. I’ll continue to track their progress and bring you updates as they move closer to an opening date, but there is definitely something bright on the horizon. It’s a pretty big “dill.”
Moving on, we’ve got some local favorites reopened. The old Leigh Mall American Deli closed March 2025, and it’s officially reopened at its current location next to Hibbett Sports at 1440 Old Aberdeen Road. According to American Deli’s website, folks can check out the long-awaited sandwich and wing shop 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon-9 p.m. on Sundays.
Moving down the road, Gyro Guys, which had to close down their food truck back in June, has reopened. Under a brand-new name and located in the same spot at 1906 Hwy. 45 N., New York Gyro is officially open for business with an expanded menu.
They are serving up a variety of platters ranging from lamb and chicken to falafel and shrimp, alongside classic gyros, shawarma, Philly cheesesteaks and New York-style hot dogs. Everything is made fresh daily and is 100% Halal.
Back in April, the food truck shared online that its license and permit had been temporarily revoked due to missing paperwork and approvals. It appears those bureaucratic hurdles are officially resolved, so go check out their authentic New York-style Mediterranean flavors every day 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
You may have noticed some branding shifts around town recently. Huntington Bank has officially begun its system takeover and operational transition from Cadence Bank.
This is the culmination of a major merger announced last year, in which Huntington National Bank entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Cadence Bank. The acquisition adds nearly 400 locations across the South, drastically expanding the bank’s footprint.
“This partnership will extend the reach of our full franchise to 21 states – stretching from the Midwest to the South to Texas – and into new, high-growth markets for which we have a powerful playbook,” Huntington President and CEO Steve Steinour stated in a company release. “Today’s announcement represents a significant step on our journey to be the leading people-first, customer-centered bank in the country.”
Huntington was originally founded in 1866 by P.W. Huntington in central Ohio. Incorporated in 1905, the institution has grown exponentially over the last century and currently ranks 466th on the Fortune 500 list as one of the largest banks in the United States.
The initial transition timeline pointed toward the first half of 2026, and the final steps are now officially live.
“As Cadence Bank customers fully transition to Huntington Bank on June 22, this handle will soon be retired,” Cadence Bank announced on social media. “Huntington National Bank is excited to welcome you. We hope you’ll join us there for bank news, helpful financial tips, community impact, and more.”
Just outside of our typical coverage area, there’s a new spot for outdoor enthusiasts in Choctaw County. Guns and Roses Pawn and Gun officially opened its doors this week at 36 N. Louisville St. in Ackerman. They are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and carry everything you need for hunting season, including firearms, ammo, select outdoor attire, safety vests and gear.
See you guys next week!
Former Dispatch reporter Mary Pollitz writes weekly about interesting business news. Have a tip? Send it to [email protected].
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
