As a mom of four, Le-An Than is always looking for new ways to entertain her kiddos. After all, there are only so many museums and playgrounds to patronize before they seem to lose their luster, she said.
One place that never gets old, however, is the arcade. More specifically, the section with claw machines that enthrall and tantalize.
“It’s like casinos for kids,” said Than, who lives in Westminster. “It’s lights and music and toys, the adrenaline you get when you win a toy. And it takes coordination too.”
That’s why Than will soon open an arcade in Aurora that specializes in one style of game. Crane Games (2740 S. Havana St., Ste M, Aurora) is expected to open on July 13 and when it does, locals will find more than 40 different claw machines filled with plushies and stuffed animals waiting to be snatched up and taken to a loving home.
Inspired by the popularity of claw machines in Asia, Than is stocking most of the games with kawaii toys. Kawaii is a Japanese term of endearment that means cute or, literally, “acceptable for affection,” according to gaming site Kotaku. The term, which has many uses in Japan, developed into a distinct culture and style that has percolated through fashion, art and pop culture.
Think along the lines of Hello Kitty, Pokémon and anime, Than said.
Than, who also co-owns Vita Cane juicery in Denver, has been working on the arcade concept for about a year, both formally by scouring the Front Range for a location and informally by visiting similar concepts throughout the country and world.
“We’ve been going around to whatever claw machine arcades we can find in whatever state we are in at the time,” she said. “We spend so much money on the kids playing these, I mean, why don’t we just open one?”
Crane Games will have 26 large claw machines where players can win big plushies and toys, as well as 16 others with small prizes, such as keychains and small trinkets. (Than’s kids lent their expertise in helping pick out the prize inventory.) Guests purchase tokens that they then feed the games to play.
Crane Games, arcade specializes exclusively in claw games, for kids and adults alike, in Aurora, Colorado on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Joey Than, 6, left, and her brother Theo, 4, enjoy claw games at Crane Games in Aurora, Colorado on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. The arcade specializes exclusively in claw games, for kids and adults alike. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Crane Games, arcade specializes exclusively in claw games, for kids and adults alike, in Aurora, Colorado on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
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Crane Games, arcade specializes exclusively in claw games, for kids and adults alike, in Aurora, Colorado on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
The business’ audience isn’t just kids; Than hopes the venue will also appeal to adults who are into gaming or the kawaii culture. Because Crane Game inhabits a modest 1,100 square feet, it won’t serve food or drinks. However, there are several restaurants in the plaza where it resides and patrons are welcome to bring in things to eat and drink, Than noted.
Even though claw machines can be notoriously difficult to win, Than wants everyone to be able to walk away with a keepsake and she’ll have staff onsite to help that dream a reality. After all, the prizes are what set Crane Game apart from other arcades.
“I wanted something a little more rewarding than a just name on the screen, something tangible they can bring home. It could be a core memory for some kids,” Than said. “I want every game they play, they can be rewarded by playing.”
Originally Published: July 9, 2024 at 6:00 a.m.
