Visit Mobile is behind the idea. The kiosk is located in front of the Downtown Mobile Alliance on Dauphin Street.
Users can walk up to the kiosk and click a button that brings up options including things to do, places to stay, restaurants, events happening in the city, and a map of the city.
Clicking on “things to do” brings up area businesses. Users can click on a business to send its location to an email address or phone, add it to favorites, or click a tab to visit its website.
The kiosk also includes a photo booth feature. Users can take a free photo with a choice of frames, including a regular frame, a Mardi Gras frame, and an old-time cinema frame. Photos can be sent to the user via a QR code.
Gary Owens, owner of Bienville Souvenir & Gifts, said Visit Mobile has helped promote the city and its small businesses.
“Visit Mobile is doing a tremendous job of promoting the city and small businesses. You know, almost every business downtown is a small business. So, we really depend on that boost that we get, whether it be the Chamber, whether it be a Downtown Alliance, or whether it be Visit Mobile,” Owens said.
Owens said the added exposure benefits multiple types of businesses downtown.
“So those boosts that we get, we all applaud that, whether it be restaurant, retail, or, you know, a park. Mobile has a lot to offer, and Visit Mobile knocks it out of the park,” Owens said.