Bird’s eye view of The Serve Pickleball + Kitchen

Feb. 21. Members of the Cornelius Town Board got their first look this week at a proposal by DB Entertainment to build 16 new pickleball courts along with a restaurant on Chartown Drive.

They liked what they saw, and with no opposition, the proposal moves on to the town’s Architecture Review Board on Friday this week.

Once up and running The Serve will have 60-70 employees.

Servers will be paid $15 per hour plus tips.

Details

DB Entertainment is seeking to amend the zoning on approximately 6.39 acres of vacant property located at 20220 Chartown Drive. The plan is to build a 51,086 square foot facility. with 10 indoor courts and six outdoor courts as well as a restaurant.

There will be more than 150 seats for guests in the restaurant, bar, lounge and cafe areas.

Timing

DB co-owner Jack Salzman hopes to go before the planning board March 11 and in front of the Town Commissioners for a final vote at the meeting on April 1.

Salzman

“If this is the schedule we are hopeful to get a permit from Mecklenburg County 45-60 days after the April 1 approval from the Town of Cornelius,” Salzman, the former co-owner of Lake Norman Chrysler Jeep Dodge said.

Background

Pickleball is a rapidly growing sport, and the town is working to accommodate the demand among residents. A separate proposal which would provide up to 12 new courts at Bailey Road Park is already in the works.