Now you’re welcome to make a racquet indoors! Pitch a fit?
Because Empire Racquet is open!
Empire Racquet offers a heated, indoor pitch on Capitol Hill at 419 Eighth St. SE, plus space for playing cricket, tennis, pickleball and soccer to both kids and adults. The facility had their soft opening on Feb 25 and will open for regular hours, 4:45 p.m. to midnight, starting Wednesday, Feb. 26.
Empire Racquet is the brainchild of 44-year old Brynley “Bryn” Bryant. Bryant was the scion of a family of professional athletes. His father played rugby, while his brother pursued soccer. Their next door neighbor had a tennis court. Bryant’s dad, who never played tennis, taught him how to hit the ball. Later, Bryant studied under a famous coach. Despite this, cricket remained his first love.
Brian says the first month will tell much about how the future will go. He Already has a few Pickleball, private lesson lessons, weeknights, and tennis lesson lessons over the His plan is to have later night cricket offerings. He’s made an arrangement with downtown hotels to offer Pickleball lessons to groups.
he’s made an arrangement with downtown hotels to offer Pickleball lessons to groups.
“I think it’ll take a good month to tell, “Bryan said. But he emphasizes that both he and the space are flexible and anyone interested in group activities or lessons should be in touch.
The facility features an innovative ceiling and wall netting system, astroturf and floor mats that allow it to be configured for many different sports. The space can host a cricket batting cage, gymnastics, two pickleball courts or an indoor soccer field. Bryant already has students scheduled, he said
The front of the facility functions as a sports waiting room and a tennis pro shop. In the future, Bryant plans to have 200 rental storage and 100 Amazon package lockers as well as PO boxes in the basement. Hours are 4:45 p.m. to midnight.
Visit www.empireracquet.com for more details.
The story has been updated
