Grace Chen of Macomb Township has been a successful business owner for more than 25 years. So she knew as soon as she saw the popular playgrounds popping up in China that kids here would like them too.

Now they have their own GEMU Clawcade and Playground at Oakland Mall in Troy.

“I feel really good about it,” said Grace. “Our friends and customers are very happy. They don’t want to leave.”

The new entertainment destination features 8,000 square feet of fun.

“There’s three tiers,” said Wen Chen, Grace’s daughter who along with a fellow student from the College of Creative Studies helped Grace develop her brand and business model for little Michiganders.

One of the tiers features an innovative interactive playground that has a mix of playsets and arcade claw games where children can win cute rewards. Another level of fun features a playset with air cannons, a large twirly slide that spills into a ball pit, horses, a mini basketball court and a separate playset for little ones. Kids will also love GEMU’s mascots including a funny monkey named GEMRU.

“We also have a place for parents,” said Grace, which also makes GEMU a great place to host a birthday party or family outing.

Parents will also be pleased to know the entire space has been designed with safety and cleanliness in mind, with a comprehensive cleaning schedule and maintenance plan to ensure a safe environment for all.

“We are very excited to welcome GEMU as we transition into the future of family and fun here at Oakland Mall,” said Mario Kiezi, owner of the mall. “It is important for me to deliver a fun experience for families and this one will be great for little ones. GEMU did an exceptional job with the space and kids will have a lot of fun.”

When Grace told Wen about her plans for a new business she thought her mother was kidding or just mulling it over. Once she discovered her mother was serious about the new business she was all in and enlisted the help of her college roommate, Key Allard. Working collaboratively with her mother and several companies in China, Wen and Allard, a talented animator, were able to bring the vision for GEMU to life in less than a year.

The name GEMU was inspired by the Japanese word for “game” and embodies Grace’s commitment to develop a business that families would enjoy. Wen, who studied product design was also committed to creating something unique — working diligently to incorporate colors and shapes into a design — and pleasing to visitors of all ages. Muted tones of blue and pink have also made it sensory pleasing.

Wen said she already heard from the mother of an autistic child who found GEMU inviting.

“Opening GEMU is a dream come true for my mother and me,” said Wen, who albeit co-founder of the business, still plans to pursue a career in product design and hopes to land a job in corporate America. “This will be good for her resume,” quipped Grace, referring to their new business.

“We’ve worked hard to create a space where families can come together, play and make lasting memories. We hope to become a beloved destination within Oakland Mall for families across Michigan and beyond.”