JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — With Pokemon popping up all over Jacksonville, you're bound to spot people playing "Pokemon Go" in or around stores and restaurants.
Many businesses are embracing the app’s popularity to attract more business.
One of those virtual Pokemon “gyms” is actually in the Taco Lu restaurant in Jacksonville Beach.
Customer Patti Leister was playing the game after ordering her lunch.
“It's fun and we get to walk and walk and look for them,” said Leister.
Taco Lu manager Kaitlyn Ash said it’s been good for business so far.
“We've definitely seen a little bit more foot traffic with people on their phones and in our parking lot,” said Ash.
Other businesses are also cashing in. The marquee at The Shim Sham Room read “Pikachu was here.”
Dawn Wade, who does social media for Adventure Landing, said they’re promoting a contest that encourages users to post their Pokemon finds at the park for a chance to win entry passes.
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“We've got like seven Pokestops and a gym right next to us at Taco Lu, so it's a pretty good spot to be,” said Wade.
Ash said there are some downsides.
“It's been driving some of the servers crazy because they can barely get an order out of people -- they're glued to their phone,” said Ash.
Overall, she said, the popular app is beefing up their bottom line.
“If it's drawing people here for lunch and dinner then they're like, ‘Alright well I guess maybe we should get out and get some tacos and tequila while we're at it,’” said Ash.
Pokemon groups are also popping up on Facebook, where people are posting the areas they’ve caught their Pokemon. Since many of the users are in their 20s and 30s, bars are also capitalizing by hosting "Pokemon Go" pub crawls around the world. One such pub crawl is happening in St. Augustine on July 30.