Kykomi's

A new business in downtown Wausau is offering a unique experience filled with nostalgia and fun.

Kykomi’s officially opened this year on July 14, and it is drawing attention from curious passersby and arcade fans alike. The business features colorful claw machines and small vending machines popular in Japan called gachapon.

Owners See Vang and Kosher Chang, who moved to Wausau from larger cities for a more community-focused lifestyle, say the idea for Kykomi’s was born during a trip to Japan over a year ago.

“We saw these machines everywhere in Japan,” Chang explained. “It felt like something special we could bring back. When we returned, we missed that experience and decided to create a space that shared a bit of that joy with our own community.”

The name Kykomi’s itself is a creative blend, formed from the first two letters of the couple’s three children’s names.

Not only did the owner’s children inspire the name of their business, they also inspired the concept. While Wausau offers a variety of outdoor activities, especially in the summer months, Kykomi’s is aimed at filling a gap for indoor, family-friendly entertainment.

“When we first moved here, there wasn’t much to do indoors for kids,” said Vang. “We wanted to create a fun, safe place that families could enjoy year-round.”

Kykomi’s isn’t your average arcade. It does not have video games or pinball machines. Instead, there are rows of claw machines filled with plushies and toys.

“People think claw machines are rigged,” Chang admitted, “but we want people to walk away with smiles. If someone’s struggling, we’ll help adjust the toys to make it fairer. We want our customers to leave happy, not frustrated.”

The owners said their goal is to put some joy back into their community any way they can. They recently hosted a private event for Adaptive Communities, a group serving adults with disabilities. The store opened on a Monday, which is normally their day off, for the group, so they could enjoy the machines in a quiet, welcoming space.

“We can be open to private events and special requests,” Vang said.

Starting the business came with a few hurdles. Chang said that getting the appropriate permits was tricky because the city had not issued an entertainment license in years.

“They had to dig up old archives from when there used to be arcades in town,” Chang recalled.

Another challenge came from tariffs on imported goods, which impacted the timing and cost of their inventory.

“It was stressful,” Vang said. “Our shipment was literally floating in the ocean when tariffs hit.”

Still, the couple is looking ahead and already thinking about expanding, whether that means a larger space, new types of machines, or different interactive experiences.

“Our goal is to grow,” Chang said.

Kykomi’s is already gaining a local following, thanks in part to its social media presence. They are active on Facebook where they announce new plushies, events and ongoing raffles.

So what’s the most popular prize so far?

“Oddly enough, it’s the ‘ugly-cute’ plushies,” Vang said.

The ‘ugly-cute’ plushies are called Labubus. They gained popularity this year after being featured as a collectible toy by Chinese toy company Pop Mart.

In the end, the owners say the best part of owning Kykomi’s isn’t just the business, it’s the joy they see on people’s faces when they win.

“Adults come in and jump for joy like kids. It’s beautiful to watch,” said Vang. “We’re just happy to bring a little fun to Wausau.”

Want to join in on the fun? Head over to Kykomi’s in downtown Wausau at 300 N. Third Street, Suite 108. They are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.