The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery's satellite operation in Springfield's Upper Valley Mall will be moving into a much larger space in November. The former Elder-Beerman site in the mall will now house the museum.
Boonshoft opened in the Upper Valley Mall in early March with a short term lease to run through the end of August. The plan was to see if the Clark County area would warm up to the museum's only satellite
operation.
Kristy Creel of the Boonshoft Museum, says it's a measure of success to be able to move into the former Elder-Beerman location which will allow the museum to grow by nearly four times its current size.
"We've had a lot of people thanking us for being in the space, very excited to have the opportunity to do something that's right in their own backyard. And I think a lot of people have taking a little bit of ownership of the space. They're proud that we're there, their excited to have the opportunity and really excited to kind of take it and run with it and see what we can do," she said.
Upper Valley Mall Manager Brenda LaBonte is happy that the Boonshoft is staying and she also announced that the mall is getting another family oriented business called Homeplate Indoor Batting Cages, that will open in the former Old Navy location. LaBonte hopes both businesses will stay long term.
"Glad their here, we welcome them and we want them to stay," she said.
Homeplate will open for business this Friday and the Boonshoft is planning to open on November 2.