In the midst of growing economic uncertainty, many Canadians are searching for affordable ways to stay active, socialize, and engage in their communities. One rapidly growing sport is offering exactly that: pickleball. At the forefront of this phenomenon in Quebec is Paddle & Pickle, a specialty retailer located in Bromont that has quickly become much more than just a retail store.
“In the beginning, we weren’t sure if it would be successful,” said Dany Viens, co-founder of Paddle & Pickle. “But now it’s crazy — it’s going very well. We’ve put our name and brand everywhere in Quebec.”
Viens and his partner Leslie Gamache opened Paddle & Pickle just nine months ago, turning their personal passion for pickleball into a thriving business that blends retail, sport, and community.
From Hobby to Business
The idea for Paddle & Pickle came, quite literally, over a cup of coffee. As avid pickleball players themselves, Viens and Gamache had struggled to find places where they could test equipment before purchasing. Pickleball paddles can be expensive, often ranging from $300 to $400 each, and buying online made it difficult to know which paddle would feel right.
“Dany was ordering so many rackets online,” Gamache recalled with a laugh. “We were having coffee one morning and said: why don’t we open a store where people can try the paddles before buying? That way they wouldn’t spend money unnecessarily.”
This simple idea quickly evolved into a brick-and-mortar location that offers customers the chance to not only shop, but also play. Inside the 1,300 square foot store is a mini pickleball court, outfitted with professional flooring that allows visitors to test paddles and play casually. “It’s not full-sized,” Gamache explained, “but it’s a perfect size for people to practice and get a feel for the equipment.”
A Comprehensive Product Line
Today, Paddle & Pickle offers one of the most extensive selections of pickleball products in Quebec, if not Canada. The store carries approximately 350 different paddles, representing more than 25 brands including major names like JOOLA, CRBN, Franklin, Selkirk, and Diadem. Beyond paddles, the store sells everything from pickleball-specific footwear by Babolat to accessories, apparel, overgrips, training aids, and even novelty dog toys shaped like paddles.
“We even have the Titan ball machine, which is very popular. We are the only retailer in Canada to sell that model in-store,” said Viens.
The store’s extensive inventory draws customers from across Quebec, and even from other provinces. Though online sales represent only about 5% of total business so far, their growing digital presence is helping Paddle & Pickle reach customers from as far away as British Columbia.
More Than a Store — A Community Hub
While retail sales remain the core business, Paddle & Pickle has quickly evolved into something larger: a true community gathering place. Local schools bring students to play on the mini court during lunch hours, and the store serves as a meeting point for Bromont’s passionate pickleball community, which boasts an estimated 500 active players in a town of just 10,000 residents.
“We have kids from the nearby elementary school who come in at lunchtime to play,” said Viens. “They bring candy as little gifts and have so much fun here. It’s become part of the neighbourhood.”
Gamache added, “It’s not just about selling products. We talk with customers, we share stories, we often spend 30 minutes just chatting about pickleball. It’s really become a community in itself.”
In fact, Viens jokingly refers to himself as the town’s unofficial “pickleball hairdresser” — the person everyone talks to about the latest club gossip, tournaments, and new equipment.
The Business of Pickleball Expands Rapidly
Pickleball’s explosive growth in Canada mirrors trends south of the border. In the United States, the sport now ranks as one of the top three most popular recreational activities. In Canada, participation is estimated to be about four years behind the U.S., but growing rapidly.
“When we first started playing four years ago, people thought it was just for seniors,” said Gamache. “Now it’s everyone — kids, adults, retirees — and it’s only growing.”
One major driver of growth has been pickleball’s accessibility. Unlike sports such as hockey or golf, the cost to begin playing is relatively low. Starter kits, which Paddle & Pickle sells at a rate of roughly 10 per week, include two paddles, three balls, and a carry bag — often for under $150.
“We don’t try to oversell people when they’re just starting out,” said Gamache. “We help them get exactly what they need. A starter kit allows them to get on the court quickly, and they can always come back later if they want to upgrade.”
Many customers do exactly that. After trying the sport with an entry-level paddle, new players often return within a few months looking for higher-end equipment tailored to their play style.
Building Canadian Manufacturing
While Paddle & Pickle’s retail business continues to grow, Viens and Gamache are also eyeing a potentially game-changing expansion: domestic manufacturing.
“Almost all pickleball paddles sold today are manufactured in China, even if the designs originate in North America,” Viens explained. “But with the trade tensions between China and the U.S., and the growing desire for locally-made products, we saw an opportunity.”
Paddle & Pickle has partnered with a Quebec-based engineering company to develop a factory that will produce paddles entirely in Canada — using locally-sourced materials and fully Canadian labour. “We want to be the first to make pickleball paddles fully built in Quebec,” said Gamache.
The manufacturing project is still in early stages, with prototypes now under development. However, the co-founders believe Canadian-made paddles could appeal strongly to consumers looking to support local business while avoiding international shipping delays, tariffs, and geopolitical risks.
“It’s about independence, control over quality, and offering something truly unique to Canadian customers,” said Gamache.
Bringing Pickleball to More Players
Beyond their retail storefront, Paddle & Pickle has been expanding its presence throughout Quebec’s broader pickleball scene. The company now participates in virtually every tournament across the province, setting up booths and selling equipment on-site.
“There’s a full tournament circuit in Quebec now,” said Viens. “We’re there for every event, getting our name out and connecting with players.”
Viens and Gamache are also negotiating partnerships with newly constructed indoor pickleball centres, many of which are opening year-round facilities with multiple courts. Some of these centres plan to feature small Paddle & Pickle retail spaces within their venues, offering another growth opportunity for the young brand.
“We’re starting small, but we definitely see the potential to expand,” said Gamache. “And the name ‘Paddle & Pickle’ would work anywhere in Canada.”
The Technology Behind the Business
Running an inventory-heavy specialty retail business presents its own challenges, but Viens credits their partnership with Montreal-based Lightspeed for making operations smoother.
“Lightspeed allows us to manage inventory between the physical store, online store, and our mobile sales at tournaments,” Viens said. “We can process sales directly from our phones using the app, and inventory automatically updates across all platforms.”
Gamache added that Lightspeed’s integrated system allows them to better serve customers by instantly checking product availability whether they are in the store or at a remote event.
“It’s been a huge help in keeping everything organized, especially as we grow,” she said.
A Sport That Brings People Together
What sets pickleball apart from many other sports is its unique ability to bridge generations and create meaningful social connections.
“People of all ages play together,” said Gamache. “Sometimes a 70-year-old can completely outplay a 40-year-old because of their finesse and technique. It’s a humbling but fun sport that brings everyone together.”
Viens added, “People even plan vacations around pickleball now. We see organized trips to Cancun or Spain where 60 people travel together just to play. It’s a real lifestyle movement.”
The sense of community is apparent even within Paddle & Pickle’s four walls. Customers often spend hours chatting, playing, and building relationships — transforming what could have been a simple transactional business into a vibrant third space for social engagement.
The Road Ahead
As Paddle & Pickle approaches its first full year in business, Viens and Gamache remain passionate about both the sport and the growing community they are fostering.
“We’ve put thousands of hours into this,” said Viens. “Our families, our kids, our neighbours — everyone helped get the store ready. It’s been a huge effort, but we love what we’re building.”
From a coffee-table conversation to a full-fledged business — and potentially Canada’s first pickleball paddle factory — Paddle & Pickle’s journey reflects not only the rise of pickleball itself but also the enduring power of community-driven retail.
