Farmington Hills’ Beloved Vintage Arcade and Museum Sets Off to a New Adventure!
Oh, Farmington Hills, how MARVELOUS you’ve been! But hold onto your joystick and dust off those high-score charts, because Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum is packing its bags and moving to a new home. That’s right, folks! This iconic vintage arcade and museum is not going far, but it sure is expanding its horizons!
What’s Happening to the Current Location?
As many of you may know, the current location of Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum, nestled in a strip mall, will soon be demolished to pave the way for a shiny new development featuring a Meijer store. While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye to Hunters Square, owner Jeremy Yagoda has exciting plans to keep the magic alive!
A Bigger and Better Space!
That’s right! Yagoda has secured a new spot at the Orchard Mall, located at the northeast corner of Maple and Orchard Lake Road, right next to Planet Fitness. This new location comes with a whopping upgrade in size — from 5,300 square feet to a fantastic 14,000 square feet! Just imagine all the extra room for those vintage coin-operated games and wacky animatronics!
“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to expand,” Yagoda said. With the extra space, they plan to introduce private party rooms for birthdays, celebrations, and all sorts of fun gatherings. It’s the perfect way to create some magical memories with friends and family!
The Move-In Timeline
As for the move itself, Yagoda has confirmed that the last day at the current location will be January 5th. After a brief relaxation period to recharge the excitement (and probably test out some of those games one last time!), they’ll begin the moving process. There’s no official reopening date yet, as the build-out at the new site will take some time, but you can bet that fans will be eagerly waiting to see the museum’s new setup!
Embracing Change with Nostalgia
Many local fans have taken to social media expressing their sadness over the move, leading to an outpouring of support and even a petition drive to keep the museum in its original location. Jeremy is feeling the love but is also ready to embrace this exciting new chapter. “I’m sad to leave Farmington Hills as the whole city has been MARVELOUS, but this was the best location we found!” he shared.
A Tribute to Marvin Yagoda’s Vision
Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum is not just a collection of vintage machines and arcade games; it’s a celebration of the late Marvin Yagoda’s whimsical philosophy: “Wouldn’t the world be better off if we took nonsense more seriously?” This one-of-a-kind museum, established in the early 1980s, showcases everything from animatronic machines to downright goofy treasures that bring smiles to faces of all ages.
Following Marvin’s passing in 2017, Jeremy took the torch to ensure that his father’s legacy continues. “This treasure has served the people of Farmington Hills, as well as visitors from around the world, since its conception,” he reflected.
What’s Next for the Marvelous Museum?
While the details will unfold in due time, one thing is clear: Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum is ready for bigger adventures! As they prepare to take this exciting leap into the future, the new location promises to keep the spirit of fun, nostalgia, and marvel alive for generations to come.
So grab your friends, your family, and maybe a pocketful of quarters, because the charm of Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum isn’t disappearing — it’s just getting started with an even bigger, brighter, and more entertaining flame!
