Alexander Alusheff

Lansing State Journal

LANSING – Catch a Jigglypuff and you get $1 off at the Starbucks inside the Radisson Hotel. Catch a Pikachu on the patio of Midtown Brewing Co. and you get 25% off your bill.

Businesses in downtown Lansing are cashing in on the massive popularity of the smartphone game Pokémon Go, offering deals and discounts to people drawn downtown by the game.

Even the normally vacant Wentworth Park across from the Radisson has become hub of activity at nearly all hours, thanks to players on the hunt for rare Pokémon.

And when they come downtown to play, they bring their wallets.

“I’ve seen 100 people over between 10 p.m. and midnight,” said James Wells, manager of the Capital City Grille and Starbucks inside the hotel. “We get a lot of Pokémon traffic."

Pokémon Go is an augmented reality game that uses a smartphone GPS and camera to impose cartoon creatures onto the screen as if they appeared in real life. The goal is to catch all 151 Pokémon and use them to take over gyms, which are local landmarks such as the Capitol and Knapp’s building, for one of three factions: Team Mystic, Team Valor and Team Instinct.

The secret of Wentworth Park's popularity is the fact that it is home to three Pokéstops, where players can collect items and set beacons to attract more Pokémon to that location.

“I’ve never seen so many young people and families wandering around downtown,” said Lori Lanspeary, manager of social media and leisure marketing for the Greater Lansing Conventions and Visitors’ Bureau. “Downtown is seeing an uptick in non-regular traffic. It’s a whole new demographic coming downtown. It’s a great opportunity for businesses.”

(Story continues below map.)

Gotta catch ‘em all

When the sprinkler system turned on at Wentworth Park on Saturday afternoon, it startled many of the 60 people gathered there to play Pokémon Go. Many scattered away from the spurts of water, others walked through them, oblivious in their pursuit of Pokemon.

Rick Jorgensen and two friends avoided the sprinkler by playing on the sidewalk. They had played the game in East Lansing until 1 a.m. the night before.

“I’m never downtown," said Jorgensen, 22. "I haven’t got to see much of the city even though I’ve been here my whole life. I don’t think people would be here if it weren’t for this game.”

When the three got hungry after a few hours of playing, they went to Jimmy Johns and spent nearly $30 total.

Across the street at the Starbucks inside the Radisson, Orion Smith stopped in to refuel after an afternoon of playing Pokémon in Old Town with his friend Jill Figgins and her son Lex.

“We’ve been out of the house more,” said Smith, 28, who lives in Lansing’s north side. “I’ve been out four times this week. If I have a day off, I’m in Old Town or downtown.”

Smith and Figgins spent $11 at Starbucks to buy a parfait, Pepsi and a muffin. They didn't see that the coffee shop was also offering free drinks for members of Team Mystic who have caught the fox-like Ninetails.

“We were out until 1 a.m. at the fish ladder, and people were still out and about playing,” said Figgins, 31. “You lose track of time when you’re playing the game.”

When Markeith Venegas, 19, arrived at Wentworth Park, he was surprised by the number of people gathered there.

"Normally when you see a lot of people out here, you don't really interact with them, but they are doing the same thing as you," Venegas said. "It's a great way to meet new people."

He added that the game has got him to explore downtown and see what it has to offer, including deals for Pokémon Go players. Venegas stopped at Firehouse Subs, which offers a free drink with the purchase of a small sub to Pokémon Go players.

"It's pretty smart," he said. "It's a way for people in Lansing and our community to make some more money."

Pokéstop n' shop

While players are setting beacons to lure Pokémon, businesses are trying to lure players with deals.

The Firehouse Subs discount has brought in a lot of people, especially on Saturday's, which are normally slow, said Theresa Farr, the restaurant's night shift manager.

"It was kind of like a ghost town in here on weekends, but now it's getting pretty busy," Farr said.

Where to play Pokémon Go in the Lansing area

Lanspeary said the GLCVB is encouraging its business members to advertise deals for players to attract more customers.

"This game has brought people downtown, now do something with them," Lanspeary said. "At least put a sign out. It's a wonderful opportunity for our members."

Alexander Alusheff is a reporter for the Lansing State Journal. Contact him at (517) 388-5973 or aalusheff@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexalusheff.

Pokémon Go deals

Firehouse Subs, 200 S. Washington Square - One free small drink with purchase of small sub.

Starbucks at Radisson Hotel, 111 N. Grand Ave. - $1 off drink if you caught a Jigglypuff, free drink if you have a Ninetails and are a member of Team Mystic.

Anqi Sushi, 111 E. Allegan St. - Show proof of collecting the Samuel N. Abood Memorial Poké stop and get a free 8 oz. black milk tea.

Midtown Brewing Co., 402 S. Washington Square - Place a lure at the Pokéstop and receive a 10% discount. Catch a rare Pokémon over 250 CP on the patio and get a 25% discount.

Claddagh Irish Pub, 2900 Towne Centre Blvd, Lansing Township - 15% percent off order for members of Team Valor on Tuesday, Team Mystic on Wednesday and Team Instinct on Thursday.

Know of any more businesses that are offering discounts? Let us know. Email them to aalusheff@lsj.com.