As you may know, the Boynton Beach Mall in Boynton Beach, FL had donated 8,000 square feet of space to the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History (MLFH) for a three-year lease. Since opening inside the Boynton Beach Mall, MLFH was responsible for increased visitation of shoppers to the Mall. MLFH hosted numerous group tours and special events that included shopping and dining experiences because of partnerships MLFH established with the stores and eateries inside the Mall. Some of the stores and eateries at the Mall experienced a direct economic benefit because of MLFH.
The MLFH lease was scheduled to end in November 2012 therefore active efforts were being led for MLFH to identify and transition to a permanent home outside of the Mall, at the end of the lease. However, the Boynton Beach Mall forced MLFH to move to make way for a tenant named You Fit Health Clubs because the Mall needed MLFH's 8,000 square feet of space for the gym. The Mall refused to allow MLFH to remain until the end of the lease although the You Fit Health Club did not open in the mall until AFTER the MLFH lease was scheduled to expire, anyhow. The fitness club did not open late until 2013. The museum's move was sudden and abrupt. The Mall had been duly informed that MLFH had programming scheduled at MLFH's facility for Black History Month with a black history exhibit at MLFH but that exhibit display at MLFH had to be cancelled because of the move. Furthermore, MLFH had programming scheduled at its facility in the Mall for the Deaf. And, because of the move, the Arnold Scaasi exhibit has been delayed. In 4 days, MLFH had to move from the Mall premises more than 37,000lbs of property. Certified museum movers were hired to assist with the move. MLFH, which is a non-profit 501c3 charity, was burdened with a huge financial expense because of the forced and sudden move. Furthemore, the fitness gym never immediately moved in and the space remained vacant until 2013. MLFH did have pro bono legal representation regarding this matter with the Mall but it became to expensive.
MLFH has now identified a potential permanent building and hope to raise the funds to acquire the building. If you're interested in making a tax-deductible monetary donation, please contact us.
MLFH needs your help! Please consider a monetary donation in any amount to help support the permanent building efforts.You can make a donation on-line at http://mlfhmuseum.org/donatenow.html or mail check payments payable to the Museum of Lifestyle & Fashion History at P.O. Box 6127, Delray Beach, FL 33482.
None of the Museum's other programming has been cancelled. And, the culinary bus tours of historic Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth, Lantana and West Palm Beach still continue without interruption. Click here to make reservations for the Taste History Culinary Tours. Call 561-638-8277 Visit the MLFH Blog at http://fashionhistorymuseum.blogspot.com/ or http://tastehistoryculinarytours.blogspot.com
Sincerely,