Claw arcades snatch up retail space as US popularity grows

The claw machine, the blinking arcade fixture known for swallowing quarters and seldom surrendering a prize, is making a comeback — and in a surprisingly big way.

Claw-machine arcades are grabbing up U.S. retail space, expanding from niche storefronts in Asian shopping districts into malls and shopping centers. Chains are franchising, signing leases with big landlords and opening locations coast to coast, including recent debuts at Simon Property Group and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield properties and at the Mall of America in Minnesota.

Landlords are responding to the "clawcade" craze, fueled by America's embrace of both Asian culture and experiential entertainment, operators and real estate analysts say. And there's another appeal: Cash-strapped Americans are looking for reasonably priced family outings in lieu of expensive vacations to places like Disney World, a recent JLL report found.    ...more

RSK: Please say it isn't sooooo! Now more trapped little kids in these crazy machines that have tested the times.