A closed Malco theater in Bartlett will soon undergo adaptive reuse, thanks to John and Leslie Daniel’s ambitious project—Bluff City Pickleball. The theater, initially established in 1989 as a cornerstone of the Malco Plaza Shopping Center on Bartlett Boulevard, will be transformed into a unique venue dedicated to the popular sport of pickleball.
Rendering of the new Bluff City Pickleball’s lobby area in the former Malco Bartlett Cinema on Bartlett Boulevard. (Courtesy cnct.design)
John Daniel, a recipient of a heart transplant and previously an executive at First Horizon for 16 years, spent a year at Harvard on a fellowship studying social enterprises. It was here that the couple’s vision for Bluff City Pickleball was solidified. Their aim is to create a social enterprise that seeks to benefit the community rather than focusing solely on profitability.
The Daniels, who reside in the downtown Artesian high-rise, discovered their love for pickleball a few years ago when the tennis courts at their residence were converted to accommodate the sport. Motivated by their passion, they scouted locations across the Mid-South and in August last year, received an unexpected call from Malco and the Lightman family about the availability of their single-purpose facility in Bartlett—a perfect fit for their venture.
Bluff City Pickleball, operating under Bluff City Athletics LLC, is set to offer open and league play, tournaments, lessons, fundraising events, corporate gatherings, and birthday parties. The transformation of the 27,000-square-foot facility is currently underway. The theater’s ten auditoriums will be repurposed to feature eight pickleball courts, one smaller practice court, and an exercise studio for warm-up sessions. The mezzanine, previously housing movie projectors, will be converted into a clubhouse. The renovation will also include new air conditioning, a new roof, and a redesigned lobby area that will serve as a multi-purpose reception and cafe space, still maintaining a nod to the theater’s film legacy with pickleball courts named after famous movies.
With over $500,000 of their own investment, the Daniels aim to have the facility up and running by the end of the year. This exciting project is not only a testament to their passion for the sport but also a tribute to their gratitude for life itself. As John Daniel aptly puts it, “We’re just blessed to be alive, and we wanted to do something good with the time that we’ve got.”
Parsons enthusiastically expressed his belief that the site in question is an ideal choice. With the goal of revitalizing the Bartlett Station area, the Daniels are dedicated to creating a destination that caters to families and promotes health and wellness.
Moreover, Daniel highlights the convenient accessibility of Bluff City Pickleball, as it is situated within a 15-minute drive from Midtown or East Memphis. This accessibility opens up numerous opportunities for individuals interested in participating in this rapidly growing sport.
Locally and throughout the entire United States, Pickleball is gaining widespread popularity, leading to the emergence of various new ventures like this project as well as the planned 901 Pickleball facility in Collierville.