New tennis and pickleball store opens in Columbia

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Tennis and pickleball players in Columbia now have a new place to buy equipment for their favorite sports. 
Break Point Cola officially opened its doors on Friday, Aug. 11 at 719 Saluda Ave. in Five Points. 
The store is owned by Columbia resident Lisa Barnett. 
Break Point Cola sells a wide variety of equipment for both sports, including tennis rackets and pickleball paddles, shoes, bags, apparel, balls and other supplies. The store will also offer stringing services for tennis rackets. 
Barnett said the idea to open the store came from a lifelong love of tennis.
“I’ve played tennis my whole life and I’m pretty passionate about it,” she told SC Biz News. “I also love the Five Points area so this seemed like a great place to open a store.” 
Barnett’s boyfriend Adam VanLoan is working with her at the store. He also has been involved with tennis most of his life and is a teaching pro. 
Adding pickleball to the tennis mix came naturally because the sport has exploded in popularity in recent years. Barnett said she was introduced to the sport about six years ago and understands why it has caught on with so many people. 
“Anyone can play pickleball, from kids to seniors, and it is such an inclusive sport,” she said. 
Columbia City Councilman Howard Duvall attended the grand opening and called Break Point Cola an asset to the growing mix of small retail businesses in the Five Points area.
“Stores like this are helping us with the continuing process of bringing a family-friendly and merchant-friendly atmosphere to Five Points, Duvall said. 
Break Point Cola will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.