Despite the summer heat, the popularity of Pokemon Go may actually be driving people outdoors and increasing customer foot traffic near some downtown businesses.
The mobile game became widely available through app stores last month, and some businesses have tried to lure customers in the wake of its popularity.
Pokemon Go uses GPS and augmented reality to allow players to catch creatures called Pokemon in real life, forcing players to move around and go to different locations. Businesses across the country have capitalized on the game’s popularity, and used in-app features, such as Pokestops and lures, to attract players.
Pokestops are locations in the game that are usually landmarks, works of art, or historic buildings, that give players items in the game, like Pokeballs for catching Pokemon, or potions to heal Pokemon the player has.
Lures are items which can be placed at Pokestops which attract Pokemon, and therefore sometimes players, for 30 minutes at a time. Players can place them on a Pokestop, triggering a “people lure” as well. Players who notice the lure often head to the spot in hopes of catching Pokemon.
Clay Cone, general manager at Phoenix Public Market Cafe on Central Avenue and Pierce Street, said he was aware of the restaurant’s unique position near two Pokestops. When the game started getting wildly popular in July, Cone said the restaurant agreed to sponsor some lures to set at the Pokestops nearby.
He said the first night they set down the lures, there was a 20 percent increase in the restaurant attendees. The restaurant has used lures since that first night, but the initial increase didn’t last. Cone said the plan is to continue as long as the game is popular.
“(Pokemon Go is) getting more people out interacting with the landscape and art of Phoenix, and that’s a positive impact for the community,” Cone said.
Topher Bray, a manager at Cobra Arcade Bar on Second and McKinley streets, said business had increased slightly.
“We dropped lures from 5:00 (p.m.) to 1:00 (a.m.),” he said.
Bray said they used to drop lures for happy hour every day of the week, but now the bar only uses lures on Tuesdays. He said there hasn’t been a huge increase for the bar overall, though Tuesday attendance has increased.
Chris Ceimo, a manager at The Rose and Crown Pub on Seventh and Adams streets, said the game has increased business. The pub is located near the Arizona Science Center, and is surrounded by Pokestops.
“Summer normally means things are pretty dead,” he said. “But there’s people all over the place.”
Ceimo said Rose and Crown is not placing lures, but customers will often place lures themselves. He also believes the game is helping people.
“The game helps people connect,” Ceimo said. “There’s a noticeable difference here.”
Other businesses have had less success harnessing the game’s popularity, though the owners think their daytime hours may be a deterring factor.
Braden Hammond, a manager at Be Coffee, located in The MonOrchid on Roosevelt and Second streets, said he hadn’t seen a huge effect on business, but both staff and guests regularly use the app.
“We had a kid come in because of a lure and he bought a drink and stayed,” Hammond said.
Currently the cafe does not use lures, but sometimes customers will drop lures when they visit, Hammond said.
Michael Lanier, the owner of The Bosque, a plant shop also located in The MonOrchid, said he purchased lures to increase business. There are many Pokestops in Roosevelt Row, including two near The Bosque, leading Lanier to believe it would be a good spot in the game to set lures down. But Lanier said it didn’t significantly increase business.
“I think it’s because we’re only open during the hottest hours of the day,” he said.
Lanier plays the game, and said he typically sees people out playing at night when it’s cooled down. He’s optimistic that more people will play the game and be out during the day in fall and winter, and he said The Bosque will start advertising with Pokemon Go and using lures in October.
“Honestly, I thought it would just be a few day fad, but it’s not turned out that way at all,” Lanier said.
Contact the reporter at sshblaylock@gmail.com.
