If you’ve ever wanted to own Lake Superior, Wisconsin Point or Fairlawn mansion, Superior-Opoly is the game for you. Players can snap up landmarks or become a business tycoon in the city where sail meets rail. Superior establishments offered for sale on the board include Anchor Bar for $110 and Village Lanes for $170. Players have a choice of purchasing either Thirsty Pagan Brewing or Gronk's Grill, both at the low price of $130. Own the Lake Superior Ice Festival for $90 or Wessman Arena for $230.
A shipment of 360 Superior-Opoly games hit the Superior Walmart floor on Aug. 23. What you see is what you get, assistant managers said, although the store could order a second printing if they are popular. The games have been selling like hotcakes, according to store personnel.
Pam Berg of Superior said she saw and bought a similar Wisconsin Dells-themed game while on a recent vacation in the Dells. It, too, was being sold at Walmart.
“I was thinking ‘Wow, I wish we had them for Superior,’” Berg said.
Monday, Aug. 26, she saw the Superior-Opoly display in the Superior store.
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“So I got some for Christmas gifts,” Berg said. “I think they’re awesome.”
She also posted a picture of the game on Facebook to spread the word.
The custom game was designed for the Superior Walmart, according to the assistant manager in charge of the store’s toy department. He said the Superior management team was inspired by a similar game they saw at the Hermantown Walmart. The game was created by Late for the Sky Production Company, a specialty board game manufacturer based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Michael Schulte, marketing manager, said their design team made the decisions on what businesses and landmarks would be placed on the board after searching the local chamber of commerce and city government sites.
The board game business, which has been in operation for 35 years, initially focused on big cities. In the last three years, the business has expanded to include smaller cities through the Walmart partnership.
"I feel there's so much civic pride in smaller cities," Schulte said.
Assistant managers said the Superior store has also ordered a custom Wisconsin-Opoly game that is currently in the design process. Schulte said a Duluth-Opoly game was released in May and should re-release in time for the holidays.
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