FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – Longtime Farmington Hills fixture Marvin’s Marvelous Mechanical Museum is moving.
The beloved spot is raising money and plans to open the doors at its new West Bloomfield Township location in April.
Local 4 got an exclusive look at the space.
When drivers pull into the parking lot of Orchard Mall right now, they will spot a black space without a sign.
It may be quiet on the outside, but it’s buzzing with big plans behind the doors.
“This is it,” ringmaster Jeremy Yagoda said while opening the doors.
The space is lined with just a sample of the games that once packed the museum wall-to-wall.
“We have about five storage units all over Oakland County,” Yagoda said.
A little over a year ago, Yagoda was boxing up memories, packing up games, and digging out thousands of quarters, totaling hundreds of dollars.
All of it was left behind by decades of fans chasing fun.
“We had been in the mall since it was Tally Hall, which started in 1980, then in 1989, they subdivided it, and we reopened in 1990,” Yagoda said.
Redevelopment prompted the move.
“It forced us into a corner to do something that we’ve always wanted,” Yagoda said. “We always wanted more room shortly after we opened, and this is going to let us do it, and we are going to do it right.”
The space was formerly a pharmacy and is twice the size of the previous location.
“Here’s our first party room we are going to go into,” Yagoda said. “It is gigantic. I am excited, I don’t even know how big we are going to do this.”
There’s a second party room, a snack counter stacked with all the best guilty-pleasure goodies. Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without a prize counter.
There are also a few artsy surprises on deck.
With all this fun on the way, the project’s gone way over budget, so they launched a GoFundMe.
“There’s been such a huge response from people … almost immediately. What’s your message to everyone that’s supported you guys?” Local 4 asked.
“It’s humbling, it’s marvelous, it’s so exciting to see how something my dad just started out of his passion as a hobby has grown to touch so many people,” Yagoda said.
He’s ready to turn the page, with more magic and more memories to make.
“We’re good, I’m excited,” Yagoda said.