A fter two-and-a-half decades at its current location in Hunter’s Square in Farmington Hills, Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum is finally saying goodbye — but not for good. It isn’t game over just yet for the iconic vintage arcade, attraction and family hangout that’s served Metro Detroit’s Jewish community since its initial founding in 1980, when it was originally located at Tally Hall. After Tally Hall closed, the museum moved to Hunter’s Square in 1990. Now, after struggling to survive during COVID-19 and its future up in the air amidst plans to demolish a portion of Hunter’s Square to build a new Meijer supermarket, which would include the museum’s 5,300-square- foot space, it’s game on for the whimsi- cal and beloved attraction. Current owner Jeremy Yagoda, son of founder and Jewish community member Marvin Yagoda, announced on Facebook that Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum is set to move to West Bloomfield. It will be located in Orchard Mall next to Planet Fitness, in the former Sav-On Drugs space. THE NEXT CHAPTER Nearly triple the size at 14,000 square feet, the new space gives the museum a chance to grow its reach with sev- eral private party rooms for birthday parties, new games, photo booths and, of course, the countless vintage collectibles and memorabilia that Marvin Yagoda carefully curated over the decades. “The Brain” and other cherished animatronics aren’t going anywhere. Yet fans of the vibrant and eclec- tic space have a final chance to drop quarters in the vintage machines at the Hunter’s Square location, which will close its doors for good after Jan. 5. The business will then take a short break as buildout commences at the West Bloomfield site, which Yagoda hopes will be ready to welcome long- time guests and new visitors by late spring. “We are so excited to start the next chapter for Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum, ” he says. “My dad used to say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. “That’s what we’re doing, ” adds Yagoda, who took over the family business in 2017 after his father passed away. “We’re taking this opportunity to expand our marvelous museum. ” For several years, Metro Detroiters eagerly awaited news of the museum’s future following a GoFundMe during COVID-19 that raised $75,000 to pay rent for the building. Most recently, 54,000 people signed a Change.org petition in 2023 to keep the business at its Farmington Hills location after it was announced that the space was set to be demolished for a new Meijer. RALLYING FOR MARVIN’S Now, the community is thrilled to learn that Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum will live on in virtually the same area about a mile north of its longtime Hunter’s Square storefront. “I’m so happy that Marvin’s found a new home, ” says Marianne Milgrom Bloomberg of Farmington Hills, who works at Jewish Federation of Detroit. “It’s wonderful that it isn’t far from their longtime location in Farmington Hills. Marvin’s has been a meaningful part of my family’s history. I went there as a teen and then brought my kids there while they were growing up. ” Now, Milgrom Bloomberg is eager to visit the new location with her great-nieces and nephews, so they, too, “can experience the magic of Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum. ” NEXTGen Detroit board member Sydnie Saltz of Sylvan Lake also has fond memories of spending her child- hood years at Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum. “It’s a hometown Jewish staple that brings childhood memories back to life, ” she says. “You go there, and you feel like a kid again. ” Saltz, who frequented the museum with her “Bubbie” and “Poppie, ” says she “can’t wait for the next generations to enjoy it for years to come. ” Marlee Shifman, marketing manager at The J-Detroit, worked at Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum as a teenager, where she gained early job skills still used today. “Marvin’s has been a staple in so many of our lives, ” she says. “Growing up in Farmington Hills, some of my earliest memories were at the arcade. I wouldn’t be where I am now without my time at Marvin’s. I worked there throughout high school, and it was my first glimpse into the working world. While I will miss the original location, I’m so thrilled to see what comes next. ” Jewish makeup artist Francie Fruitman is also looking forward to the museum’s future. “I can’t imagine a more perfect fit for their new home, ” says Fruitman, who has frequented the arcade since its Tally Hall days. “Orchard Mall has a lot of fond memories for many of us here as well. I think the new location can only benefit the businesses around it. ” It’s the “marvelous” community sup- port, Yagoda explains, that’s encour- aged Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum to push through the tough times and forge a new path forward. “It’s humbling to see how much my father’s passion has touched people, ” he says. “I’m honored to be able to keep it going. ” Jeremy Yagoda stands in the space that will be home to a bigger and better Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum. The long-running attraction and family hangout will soon be housed in Orchard Mall. Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum Set to Move to West Bloomfield ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER OUR COMMUNITY 12 | DECEMBER 19 • 2024 J N