Pokemon Go, the new mobile craze that puts real life places into a virtual reality game, is helping to boost revenue at local establishments.
“It’s definitely increasing our business because we have lots of people coming through to do their Pokemon battles, getting great burgers and beers, winning their battles, taking over the 'gym,'" said Sara Owsiak, a bartender at Buckeye Beer Engine on Madison Avenue in Lakewood.
The restaurant does not have an actual gym but it has a fictional one in the world of Pokemon Go. It's where battles happen between Pokemon characters. In order to engage in the battle and fight for bragging rights, players have to be at the designated "gym" locations.
"Currently we are taken over by the red team, although this morning when we got here we were blue," said Owsiak. "So about six times a day, we switch hands as to who is running the 'gym.'"
"I do love it a lot, it's pretty fun," said a Lakewood resident who did not want to be identified. He stopped by Taco Tontos on Madison Ave. in Lakewood because it is a designated "Pokestop" where players gather virtual prizes. Then he got lunch.
It is unclear how establishments become a "pokestop" or a "gym" but they are all over. St. Lukes Catholic Church on Bunts Road is a "gym" as is Angelo's Pizza on Madison Avenue. The game, which you can download for free, was released July 7th.
"It's so fun and exciting and something new," said Genesis Hoverson, a 21-year-old Lakewood resident.
Hoverson and a friend spent their time off of work gathering prizes and battling in a "gym" at the Lakewood Park Monday. Others were doing the same in the park.
Players said it is a very addictive game, but for a few, it is a dangerous one.
In and around the St. Louis area, police are accusing a group of teens of robbing Pokemon players at gunpoint when they show up at certain locations. But here in the Cleveland area, local police departments and hospitals said they have not had any issues associated with the game.
