The Sports Bra, the Portland-born bar that shows only women’s sports, is suiting up for a Maplewood debut in the former Boogaloo space on Manchester Road. Fans eager for tipoff will have to sit tight a bit longer, though. Co-owners Heather Hill and Sara Pilsner say an opening that was originally targeted for January has been pushed back while they navigate permits and lock in a contractor, with plans for a family-friendly hangout built around growing a loyal local fan base.
According to St. Louis Magazine, the Maplewood franchise will turn roughly 2,950 square feet on Manchester into a restaurant-bar that seats about 120 people inside, plus outdoor tables for around 30 more. The new spot will move into the old Boogaloo footprint and keep features like the double-sided bar, then layer on reclaimed-wood finishes and at least 10 TVs. Hill and Pilsner plan a menu of familiar bar favorites along with plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
Owners say community comes first
Hill and Pilsner, who met playing childhood softball, told The University News they want the Maplewood Bra to feel like a neighborhood clubhouse. They plan rotating “trophy walls” that showcase customers’ jerseys, photos and keepsakes, along with programming that spotlights local athletes and teams. “I've always been a casual sports fan, but now seeing this as a business has really driven my passion for sport,” Hill said to the outlet. She added that the owners intend to give at least one percent of proceeds back to community programs through sponsorships and fundraisers. The long game, they say, is to turn casual viewers into committed fans of regional women’s teams.
Where this fits in a bigger push
The Sports Bra opened in Portland in 2022 and has become a model for venues that center women’s sports, as reported by OPB. The brand later announced a franchising wave that includes Boston, Indianapolis and Las Vegas, according to a company release from The Sports Bra. That expansion was helped along by a 2024 investment from Alexis Ohanian’s 776 Foundation, a development noted by AP News. The franchising strategy emphasizes local ownership and partnerships with women-owned suppliers.
What’s next for Maplewood
Hill says the team is wrapping up permit work and contractor agreements and will share opening and soft opening dates online, The University News reports. In the meantime, the co-owners are lining up local suppliers and hiring a staff that reflects their hospitality goals so the Bra can hit the ground running as a rallying point for women’s teams and their supporters. Once the doors open, fans can look for watch parties, fundraising nights and regular events aimed at boosting backing for girls’ and women’s sports across the region.
