Pokemon app bringing sometimes unwelcome crowds

After its release just over a week ago, the augmented reality "Pokemon Go" app has drawn players to hot beds known as Poke Stops and Pokemon gyms, including libraries, shopping centers and hot dog stands, throughout the suburbs, creating mixed reactions from their owners and management.

Some, like the Palatine Public Library, are welcoming the influx of newcomers. Hundreds of players, mainly adults, have come into the library or stopped at a memorial bench behind the building to capture the virtual creatures and pit them in battle against fellow players.

"The adult audience is one we really try to capture, and this is bringing them in," said Kiel Cross, the library's communications and marketing coordinator.

Cross said the library is even thinking about making buttons to award teams when they win a battle there.

Besides having players "capture" virtual Pokemon creatures, the app - which has been downloaded more than 15 million times since its release - also allows for teams of players to battle for control of a "gym," such as the library. Battles are won by attacking an opponent's Pokemon until its health is depleted.

Schaumburg's Town Square shopping center, home to about six Poke Stops and a Pokemon gym, saw about 200 players Wednesday night. Three teams have been battling for control over the highly contested gym in the square, not to mention enjoying treats at the nearby Oberweis Dairy, which was packed at 10 p.m.

Businesses, whether public or private, don't choose to be hot spots through the app. Some, like Pirate's Cove in Elk Grove Village, aren't necessarily enjoying the added traffic, and say they are trying to keep nonpaying customers away.

The theme park is geared toward younger children, so when employees see adults or teenagers walking around without a young child, it's likely they are looking for one of the Pokemon hot spots in the park.

"We see a lot of preteen kids with their phones along the edges of Pirate's Cove because we have some stops in here," manager Allie Wessel said.

Debbie Handler, who owns the Elk Grove Bowl bowling alley, didn't know her business was a Pokemon gym until Thursday morning. But her husband, Chris Beckard, has seen a slew of Pokemon players at the Dog N' Suds location he owns in Grayslake.

Beckard employs about 25 teenagers, so he found out Dog N' Suds was a gym the day the app was released. Players have been battling for virtual control of the restaurant since.

Some come to the restaurant just to play and don't purchase any food, Beckard said.

"But this is a business, so we can't have a whole bunch of people not buying anything," he said.

Because the game seems mostly positive, Beckard said he hasn't yet been kicking players out of the restaurant.