Pokemon Go Downtown! draws hundreds into local businesses

JACKSON, Tenn.–The phenomenon that has swept across the nation has made its way to downtown Jackson in a massive “Pokemon Go Downtown!” event.

The Jackson Downtown Development Corporation hosted their first “Pokemon Go Downtown!” event Friday night, allowing gamers a chance to play together, catching Pokemon and exploring the city.

“I played the game growing up, I always loved them and when you finally get the walk outside and actually go catch them that’s pretty darn good,” Pokemon trainer Deshawn Gray Fleming said.

Mystics, Valors, and Instincts all gathered downtown to battle it out for the rarest Pokemon.

Hundreds of people, called Pokemon trainers, scavenged through downtown Jackson, Friday night, while the JDCC dropped around 150 lures to attract more Pokemon.

Local businesses also got in on the chase, setting up deals, water stations, and recharging stations for people to take a break from the hunt.

“It’s brought a lot of new people in that would not normally come in, so that’s definitely a good thing, I think it’s been really good for business,” Woodstock owner Matt Childress said.

But for many of these gamers, it has allowed them to go places they have never been and make new friends.

“I think it’s gonna bring a lot of Pokemon, anime fans all together and to be happy, because you know a lot of things is going on but we kind of need a breath of fresh air,” Fleming said.