About | Aces Pickleball + Kitchen

Our Story

What was once Norwood’s United States Playing Card Company factory is being reimagined as a brand-new lifestyle destination in Cincinnati, Ohio – where you can dine, shop, play, explore, and so much more in one of the coolest spots in town. We wanted the residents of Factory 52 and the community to be able to enjoy many offerings in one location.

Since pickleball has been realizing significant growth rates with many audiences, we thought it would be an amazing benefit to have a new state of the art pickleball facility for everyone to enjoy.

Not only does pickleball attract many audiences, it is relatively easy to learn, fun, and has tremendous health and emotional benefits. Since pickleball is a very social sport, we wanted to offer an incredible place where guests can play, have a delicious meal, enjoy our full-service bar, play yard games with family or friends, or just relax by the firepit or under the many pergolas the site will offer!

ACES will be an amazing venue for the community and entire city to enjoy!

Our Team

Adam Painter

ACES, Sr. Director, Pickleball Operations

Adam has been a Cincinnati resident for a majority of his life. He is married (Jill) and has two sons (Elliot and Grant). He attended Anderson High School where he played two years of tennis. After graduating from Anderson, he attended Northern Kentucky University where he played tennis for four years and received many honors. He graduated from NKU with a Bachelor’s of Science, Business with a Marketing major. He spent many years working in the Consumer Package Goods industry where he held many positions in Sales Strategy, Promotion Services, Business Development, and Category Management. He retired from Johnson & Johnson in 2022, and will now lead ACES pickleball operations. He plays both pickleball tour events (APP & PPA) and plays at in the 4.5/ 5.0 events. Adam is also a IPTPA Level 1 certified instructor.

Contact Adam: adam@acespickleball.com

Nate Matthews

Pickleball Instructor & Development Director

Nate is a life-long resident of Cincinnati. He attended Indian Hill high school where he had four successful years of playing competitive tennis. After high school, Nate went to Bellarmine college where he played tennis for four years. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology & Exercise Science. He has held many Tennis Professional instructor positions at athletic and tennis/ pickleball facilities in the Greater Cincinnati/ Northern KY area. Nate has received many certifications for tennis and pickleball. He is a certified USPTA & PTR Training Professional. Also, Nate is certified as a Level 1 Pickleball IPTPA instructor. Nate currently plays on both pickleball tours (APP & PPA) in the open Pro division.

Contact Nate: nate@acespickleball.com

Nate Matthews

Pickleball Instructor & Development Director

Nate is a life-long resident of Cincinnati. He attended Indian Hill high school where he had four successful years of playing competitive tennis. After high school, Nate went to Bellarmine college where he played tennis for four years. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology & Exercise Science. He has held many Tennis Professional instructor positions at athletic and tennis/ pickleball facilities in the Greater Cincinnati/ Northern KY area. Nate has received many certifications for tennis and pickleball. He is a certified USPTA & PTR Training Professional. Also, Nate is certified as a Level 1 Pickleball IPTPA instructor. Nate currently plays on both pickleball tours (APP & PPA) in the open Pro division.

Contact Nate: nate@acespickleball.com