Jackson businesses taking up ‘Pokemon Go’ to attract customers

JACKSON, Tenn. — It is the app that is sweeping the nation and making business owners in the Hub City take notice.

The trend is particularly noticeable in downtown Jackson where officials see an increase in foot traffic, and over the past week it has given businesses a boost.

“I think it’s going to be huge,” Executive Director for Jackson Downtown Development Matt Altobell said. “I talk every day to people who come downtown for the first time in a long time, and without fail, every one of them say, ‘I had no idea how great it was downtown.’ So, I think the long-term impact is going to be significant.”

For others, the new traffic creates new complications.

At the Ballpark at Jackson, the fountain behind left field has been made a stop by the game, but team officials said that does not make it open to the public.

“We have had some people actually stop on the side of I-40 trying to get over to the fountain, and that actually is illegal to do,” general manager for the Jackson Generals Jason Compton said. “One of the perks I guess for our players is if you get to play AA baseball in Jackson, you kind of have your own ‘Pokestop.'”

Having this new way to attract potential customers has small business owners trying to catch them all.

“Within a week, there are other general managers in the league and in minor league baseball, all ideas back and forth on what to do and how to really just kind of continue with the craze,” Compton said.

Officials both downtown and at the ballpark said they are planning to hold events centered around the game.

“The business owners are excited,” Altobell said. “They’re getting excited about it. They’re getting creative about how they can explore ways to partner up with the game and to make the experience more fun for the people who are coming down.”

Downtown officials said most businesses are extending their open hours to allow more Pokemon players a chance to stop by.