A new indoor pickleball facility in Northeast Philadelphia is nearing its debut, bringing with it a story that extends beyond the sport’s rapid growth to include decades of business evolution and a long-standing relationship with a trusted financial partner.

Pine Valley Pickleball, a nine-court indoor facility developed by Allen Supowitz and operated alongside his sons Jason and Justin Supowitz and daughter Aubrey Andersen, is slated to open in the coming weeks. (One court is for padel, another fast-growing racquet sport that uses glass walls and combines elements of tennis and squash.) It marks the latest chapter in a property that has been continuously reimagined since the early 1990s.

For Allen Supowitz, the project represents both a business pivot and a family endeavor — one made possible, in part, through a financing relationship that dates back nearly two decades with C&N.

From Landscaping to Lifestyle Destination

Supowitz first purchased the Northeast Philadelphia property in 1992, when he was running a landscaping and snow removal company. At the time, the site served as a base of operations, complete with warehouse space and a modest set of self-storage units.

Over time, that initial concept expanded. What began as 40 storage units gradually grew into a much larger operation, including approximately 150 traditional storage units, more than 200 climate-controlled units, and over 100 outdoor parking spaces.

That steady evolution required capital — and a banking partner willing to support it.

Around 2008, following a business transition in which Supowitz split his landscaping and snow removal operations, he turned to C&N predecessor Milestone Bank. The bank helped finance a partner buyout and refinance the property, establishing a relationship that would continue through multiple phases of growth.

“They were always there,” Supowitz said. “Anytime I needed something, they understood what I was trying to do and worked with me.”

That relationship would prove critical again years later, when a new idea began to take shape.

A Pivot Driven by Opportunity — and Family

Roughly two years ago, Supowitz was preparing to expand his storage business yet again, with plans to add additional climate-controlled units. But as pickleball surged in popularity nationwide, he began to reconsider how the property could be used.

The idea wasn’t initially rooted in personal passion for the sport. Instead, it was driven by timing, market demand, and an opportunity to bring his family into the business.

“I saw a need,” Supowitz said. “There really weren’t facilities like this in the area. And I thought it could be something we could do together.”

Jason, a personal trainer with a background in health and wellness; Justin, who has a degree in business and marketing; and Aubrey, a longtime kindergarten teacher, quickly saw the potential.

Aubrey, who spent 15 years in education, made the decision to leave teaching late last year to join the venture full-time.

“I had been thinking about making a change for a while,” she said. “This felt like the right moment and the right opportunity.”

Jason saw a natural alignment between his experience and the needs of pickleball players.

“There’s a wide range of people playing, especially older adults,” he said. “Injury prevention, mobility, and performance all matter. I want to bring that into the facility.”

Plans for Pine Valley Pickleball now include not only courts, but also small-group training sessions focused on fitness and injury prevention.

Financing a New Vision

Transforming the existing property into a pickleball facility required more than a conceptual shift. It also required navigating zoning approvals, construction planning, and a complex financing structure.

According to Supowitz, C&N remained closely involved throughout the process, from early discussions to final approvals.

“They were with me every step of the way,” he said.

The project ultimately included a combination of bridge financing and long-term construction funding, totaling more than $7 million, along with an additional $1 million loan through the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC).

That financing package supported both the construction of the new facility and the refinancing of existing debt tied to the property.

Just as importantly, Supowitz said, the bank provided continuity and responsiveness during a lengthy zoning process that included a community hearing.

That hearing, he recalled, became a turning point.

“There were about 100 people there, and they were excited,” he said. “They were asking questions, talking about how many courts we’d have. You could feel the support.”

The project ultimately received approval, clearing the way for construction to move forward.

Building a Different Kind of Facility

Beyond the pickleball courts themselves, the Supowitz family is focused on creating an experience that extends beyond gameplay.

At the center of that approach is a mezzanine level designed as a social and community space, complete with seating areas, a fireplace, large-screen television, and workspace accommodations.

The goal, Jason Supowitz said, is to create an environment where players want to stay — not just play.

“Pickleball is social,” he said. “It’s about community. We want people to come in, feel comfortable, and spend time here.”

That philosophy extends to programming, customer service, and overall operations.

Unlike larger, franchise-style facilities, Pine Valley Pickleball is positioning itself as a family-run alternative, one that prioritizes relationships and experience.

“We want to stand out,” Aubrey said. “We’re not a cookie-cutter operation. We’re hands-on, and we care about how people feel when they walk in.”

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