“Will Sci-Fi World really open this time?” That’s what I wondered when I wrote about the museum’s announcement that it was finally set to open on May 27, 2024. As I explained in that post, “It’s a valid question since this wouldn’t be the first time they announced an opening date.”
However, unlike the anticipated opening in 2022, the 2024 one felt different. This time around, they actually had a building, and they were also selling advanced tickets.
I’d forgotten all about the big day until I opened my email this morning to discover a message from the Hollywood Science Fiction Foundation. I almost deleted it because, at first glance, it looked like spam. The cryptic subject line simply read, “it.” I figured it was another phishing or spam email thanks to one of the big hack heists that have hit AT&T and Ticketmaster this year. (Both of which compromised my personal info. Grr.)
But then I noticed the preview: “This has been a very stressful 6 months. We moved into the…”
“Ah. Sci-Fi World encountered another hiccup,” I thought, as I clicked to see what had happened this time.
No Sci-Fi World Opening
The email explained that after moving into the old Sears building in Santa Monica and spending months cleaning, repairing, and setting up, they encountered an issue with the building’s owners.
Our biggest hurdle was with the owners who scrutinized every move, which made everything take 10 times longer. We weren’t able to open on time or have an opening night Gala the way we intended because of this.
Okay, that didn’t sound so bad. No gala. Bummer. But the opening was still on, right? Nope. The news quickly turned darker.
The owners evicted the Hollywood Science Fiction Foundation (a.k.a. Sci-Fi World), apparently because they decided to sell the building instead. To add insult to injury, “someone associated with the building owners, vandalized and stole some of our props including the Alien Queen, Hulk and Planet of the Apes costume.”
Rude.
Sci-Fi World doesn’t mention if they plan to seek any recourse, but they did say they moved everything else out, and “it’s all safe in storage.” That’s good. And hopefully they’ll be able to get back what was taken.
What’s Next for Sci-Fi World
They’re exploring other options to house the museum, which may not end up in California. They’ve had offers from places outside the state. Whether they’ll relocate elsewhere or not remains to be seen, but they are considering it.
They also made sure to refund pre-purchased tickets and memberships.
So, just like any good science fiction story, the saga continues in the case of Sci-Fi World. I’m sort of invested in this story now. I’ll be sure to report where their journey takes them next.
Check-In
Since movies are made in California, it makes sense that a sci-fi museum honoring that genre would open there. However, can you think of another state that might also work?
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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That sucks. What kind of people would do that?
I don’t know. Not very nice ones for sure.