‘Marvelous’ Michigan Arcade Set To Be Demolished, Needs New Home

Arcades are fun for people of all ages, and while you may think they became popular in the 1970's & 80s, arcade games and coin powered attractions have actually been in use since early 1900's.

There aren't many places where you can see first hand some of the original machines that started the craze.

One of Michigan's most magical places, Marvins Marvelous Mechanical Museum, has been welcoming families and friends for nearly 100 years to play games and see their insane collection of machines you can't find anywhere else.

Some of them are strange and wild like this machine that is trying to 'destroy itself' when you put a coin inside.:

The museum had humble beginnings before it started to show off it's collection of bizarre marvels. Starting as a pharmacy in 1932, Sam and Fanny Yagoda bought their first marvelous machines to entertain their customers at the corner of Fenkell and Cruse in Farmington Hills.

Later on, their son Marvin took over the family business, grew their collection and opened the Marvelous Mechanical Museum which is still in operation today. It's so beloved that even Ann Arbor based band Tally Hall named themselves and an entire album after it...

The museum has had tons of national attention over the years. It's made appearances on The History Channel, American Pickers, Antiques Roadshow and more.

It's one of my favorite places to visit when I'm in the area, and I was hoping to take my son one day. In fact, my husband and I got 'married' my first summer in Michigan with this adorable vintage machine....

But after a vote, the fate of the family friendly attraction that's been delighting Michiganders for decades is floating in limbo.

Why is Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum moving?

On Monday, February 12th the city of Farmington Hills voted to demolish the mall that Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum calls their home in favor of building another Meijer location in the area. After Months of back and forth, the museum lost it's battle to keep it's long time home location.

Thankfully, there is some good news... they say they're not going away without a fight. The Museum is looking for it's new home in hopes to be able to show off their unique and incredible collection for more generations.

So here's hoping they find their next location before it's too late. If I had property in the area, I'd be begging them to call it home. This Michigan marvel deserves to be appreciated for generations to come.