Site Products
PingPod NY

High-tech security can’t stop theft, frisky patrons at employee-free businesses

Posted on

(Courtesy of New York Post)

Fledgling chains of high-tech gyms and recreational spots that don’t have on-site employees are cropping up nationwide – and some are grappling with shoplifting and randy customers.

Their novel business model is employee-lite during a stubborn labor shortage — and they seized on a soft commercial real estate market during the height of the pandemic to secure locations at bargain prices.

One’s a ping pong parlor where customers book a reservation with their phones and let themselves in — all unattended; another’s a pool hall that works the same way.

But even landlords have questions about renting to businesses that have no one manning the store, conceded David Silberman, co-founder of PingPod, which operates three locations where people can reserve a ping pod table any time of day or night in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on the Lower East Side and near Times Square.

Full article can be found here

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.

Latest News

WAB CLUB FEATURE: PongPlanet

February 8, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) PongPlanet is a full-time table tennis club with a variety of programs for adults and… Read More

Alexis Lebrun and Sabine Winter Claim Euro Top 16 Cup Titles

February 8, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo Remy Gross for ETTU) Darko Jorgic had a strong Semifinal performance today at the… Read More

Chuqin Over Harimoto for Asian Cup Title

February 8, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo ITTFWorld) The ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup concluded on Sunday in Haikou, the Capitol of China's… Read More

Duda, Jorgic, and a Pair of Lebruns Reach Europe Cup Semis

February 7, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo ITTFWorld) The Europe Top 16 Cup was held in Montreux, Switzerland.  This year,  Truls… Read More

Togami upsets Shidong on way to Semis at Asian Cup

February 7, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) The ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup is underway in Haikou, the Capitol of China's Hainan Island province. … Read More

Anticipate the Ball Coming to Your Backhand

February 6, 2026
Robot plays topspin to long Forehand, Logan Forehand topspin to Forehand, robot plays topspin to long Backhand, Logan… Read More

🎥 Episode 4: Ask The Expert Live With Logan Rietz | How do you choose your rubber?

February 5, 2026
(by Bowmar Sports) In the recent live session with Logan, a major focus was placed on how rubber… Read More

Update Both, the Sofware & Firmware

February 4, 2026
Robot plays 2x topspin to long Backhand, Logan 2x Backhand chop, robot plays backspin to long Backhand, Logan… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.