The Pokemon Go app is helping local businesses.

  • Businesses are also setting lures to attract new customers
  • Virtual game can have a real monetary impact on businesses

“It doesn't have to be a PokeStop for us to go but it helps out," said Felipe Reyes, who is an avid Pokemon trainer.

It was Felipe Reyes' first trip to Tako Cheena in the Mills 50 District of Orlando. 

He came for two reasons, lunch and Pokemon Go.

It's an augmented reality phenomenon that's helping some local businesses thrive.

"I would probably say like 20 to 30 percent of an increase, because sometimes they don't even know that we're a PokeStop," said Tako Cheena Manager Stephanie Saylor.

"So when they do see that, people come in, who have never even been here before. So that has definitely helped, like, increase sales," Saylor said.

In addition to being PokeStops and PokeGyms, businesses are also setting lures to not only invite Pokemon characters into their establishments but also new customers, who are trying to catch them all.

"Especially the late nights, people come back from the clubs or the bars," Saylor added.

The virtual game can have a real monetary impact on businesses, especially those ready to embrace and market to everyone from the casual player to Pokemon Go fanatics.

"It has a lot to do with the fact that we're born in the 90's, so it brings back that memory type of feel," Reyes said. "So, yes I would choose a restaurant with a PokeStop if I had the option to choose from one that had it or one that didn't."