Debbie Shuppert of Gurnee pointed to pickleball paddles in racks outside one of the 13 courts at Waukegan’s newest business, Pickleball Kingdom. She explained the egalitarian concept of how people can find competition, whether they come along or with others.
“If a court isn’t open, you put your paddle there,” Shuppert said, referring to the racks. “The game goes to 11. You have to win by two. If people are waiting, they get to play next. You can put your paddle there and play again.”
Shuppert was one of more than 700 people who played at Pickleball Kingdom over the weekend, competing and then waiting for another game. She was pleased with the people she met and the level of competition.
“I like it, and I like the competition,” Shuppert said. “You can come alone and there are a lot of people you can play with.”
Pickleball Kingdom became the 24th business to open in Waukegan this year — and the 10th since early August — when it opened its doors Saturday on Lakehurst Road, after renovating a one-time toy store that had been vacant for 33 years.
Along with Pickleball Kingdom, the other new businesses — Family & Crab will the 25th when it opens Friday– include 14 restaurants or bars, four beauty or barber shops, two retail stores, an art gallery, a banquet hall, a tattoo parlor and a health care facility.
Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunninham helped cut the ribbon at the Pickleball Kingdom, and has done the same at many of the other new businesses. He said he is glad to see the businesses opening in different parts of the city.
“To open any business, a good business plan and an understanding of the market is essential,” Cunningham said. “They are showing Waukegan is a good place to be. Small businesses are coming to the city of Waukegan. It will have a trickle-down effect, and more will come.”
Cunningham said the city has also expedited the process to obtain a business license. City officials have identified the need to simplify getting a business venture off the ground with as little difficulty as possible.
Kevin Considine, the president and CEO of Lake County Partners, said he believes the flurry of new businesses opening in Waukegan is the start of more to come. He particularly likes what he sees in the downtown area and the lakefront.
“We are on the cusp of a resurgence in downtown Waukegan, and other parts of the city,” Considine said. “The city is really cooking. It should have a better year next year and into 2027.”
Sheehan Lake, the president of Pickleball X, owns the franchise for Pickleball Kingdom in Illinois. Waukegan is the first in the state, with North Aurora opening early next year. Players can purchase an annual or monthly membership, or pay a daily fee.
“Each court has a scoreboard and an instant reply,” Lake said. “See all those cameras? They’re for the instant reply.”
Lake said courts are reserved online, and people who arrive on their own will be accommodated. It is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Felix Birman, the general manager, said free lessons are offered.
“We offer a pro and three-lesson, where three players are on the court with the pro,” Birman said.
Osiris Campos, who owns the Pink Cactus restaurant on Green Bay Road with her husband Edwin, opened their eatery on Nov. 15. It offers a variety of burgers, pizzas, salads and wings, along with Mexican dishes like tacos and burritos. There is also a brunch menu.
Named the Pink Cactus, Osiris Campos said the color pink is prominent around the restaurant for a reason. She wants to make the eatery a place where women feel at ease. There is an abundance of pink and flowers.
“We want to empower women to come in with their friends and be comfortable,” she said. “Men are welcome, but we want the women to feel at home. We want women to feel emboldened here.”
Domenique Guerro and Yesenia Jimenez are beauticians who have styled the hair of a clientele around Waukegan for more than five years. Guerro said they decided to become partners and open their own shop. They opened Yours Truly Beauty Salon on Oct. 18 in downtown Waukegan.
Along with Guerro and Jimenez, Guerro said there are four other beauticians in the shop who either rent a chair or work for commissions. Guerron first developed a clientele, styling women’s hair in her home. As her business grew, she decided to open her own shop with Jimenez.
“I felt, why not open our own salon?” Guerro said. “We both had our own client lists, but others are welcome.”
Other new Waukegan businesses opened this year include Concentra Immediate Care, Empress Beauty Studio, Botanero Latino, Tito’s Pizza, Fondita Miguel Restaurant, Forastero’s Tako, La Chuparosa, Chicken Miche, Adore Boutique, Liguez Brunch, I’ll Kut 2 U! and Alani Banquets.
More new businesses are Tacos El Vale, La Casa de Los Tamales y Mas, Sunset Chicken, ShadowboxX Gallery, Tough it out Tattoo, Dejavu Bar & Grill, Sabor Tierra Caliente and The Sip 21.
