ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Swing-N-Pickle, a local sports entertainment business, is finally opening its doors after overcoming a $70,000 theft setback.
Kalvin Shrader and his team were shocked when thieves stole golf simulators and toolboxes from their southeast Albuquerque business in July. The pickleball courts were also severely damaged, Shrader says he felt like giving up many times but decided to persevere.
“Me and my wife, we drew it up on our beer fridge, actually, in the garage one night, and everything fit. It seemed like it’d be fun,” said Shrader.
The business, now an indoor sports multiplex, is a dream come true for Shrader and his family. However, the break-in set them back months and thousands of dollars. Insurance helped replace the stolen equipment and repair the damaged courts.
“Some people looked at me kind of crazy, and it’s what I wanted. And we got it done and now everyone thinks it’s amazing,” said Shrader.
Shrader contacted a local company to expedite the installation of security cameras and motion sensors.
“Honestly, just trusting God and not giving up, that was tough,” he said. “Every day we got a little better, every day someone came in and got a little more excited, kind of fueled us.”
The last six months have been defined by resilience. Shrader and his team worked tirelessly, balancing full-time jobs and the business without weekends off.
“We literally went to our full-time jobs, came home, worked all night. We had no weekends. We had nothing, and we did it happily,” said Shrader.
The community’s support has been overwhelming.
“Most of these people here right now have been here for hours, you know, they’re going from one event, from pickleball to golf to batting cages, and then hanging out with their friends,” said Shrader. “Most of these people here right now been here for hours. You know, they’re going from one event, from pickleball to golf to batting cages, and then hanging out with their friends.”
Shrader’s advice to other business owners is to never give up and have good insurance. Reservations for pickleball, golf simulators, and batting cages are available. More info can be found here.
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