Halifax businesses take over Pokemon Go to lure customers

While Pokemon Go players try to catch 'em all in downtown Halifax, business owners will be trying to lure the players themselves.

Local businesses are staging a takeover of the popular game on Sunday.

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"Basically we're trying to make the whole downtown a giant lure for Pokemon," said Ivy Ho from the Downtown Halifax Business Commission.

Businesses can purchase "lures"through the game. It costs $1.39 per half hour to rent a lure, or businesses can pay $35 tosponsor a lure for the whole day.

She is encouraging participating businesses to keep purchasing them for their entire business hours on Sunday.

Ho says the cost is worth it because of the potential for increased foot traffic and sales.

100 business Pokestops

"Pokemon players may not know about a certain business downtown but if they see it's a Pokestop they may go to it," she said.

Ho said some businesses, like Rock Candy, have already seen hundreds more people come into their stores because of Pokemon Go.

It's up to individual businesses to take part but more than 100 businesses are already considered Pokestops, which are places where players can find virtual items to help them in the game.

Specials, phone-charging stations

Many businesses are also selling Pokemon-themed merchandise to cash in on the craze. On Sunday, some will offer food and drink specials, phone-charging stations and more.

If the event goes well, Ho says there could be another takeover.

"We'll do a little survey after to see the results and if it's worth the businesses' while we'll try to promote it again, maybe even monthly," she said.

Old-fashioned Poke-fun

But if a smartphone game isn't your thing, there's also an opportunity to go old-school.

The Stellarton Library is holding an old-fashioned scavenger hunt for Pokemon on Thursday, Aug.25 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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Librarian Trecia Schell says the branch staff wants to appeal to original players, as well as kids. Participants can hunt for Pokemon on original playing cards, and create their own.

"It's a great way for families to experience it together, too," said Schell. "It's a way for everyone, including ourselves, to learn more about the Pokemon craze both the high-tech version on your phone and the traditional vintage version that some of us may have grown up with."