Discovery Center, Gold Minds work out lease

Gizmos Gadgets and More opened today in the downtown center’s newly renovated gift shop space. The retail store is the second location of Gold Minds, 3354 S. National Ave.

The merchandise is educational, fun and targeted at children, Discovery Center CEO Emily Fox said.

“(Gizmos) will also be buying items that relate to our exhibits and our programs to kind of reinforce the activities that we have here,” Fox said. “We see this as a service to the folks who come here.”

Store hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday and 1–5 p.m. Sunday.

Fox would not disclose the lease rate.

Gizmos Gadgets also sells healthy snacks and beverages, and the center’s nearby renovated lobby has tables and chairs for dining.

The approximately 1,200-square-foot shop is a small part of the $4 million renovation and expansion of the Discovery Center that wraps up this month. A grand opening of the new space is set for Sept. 9–10.

A traveling exhibit, titled ExNet, will debut at that time. Fox said its 40 displays focus on water, waves and resonance, energy, and sound and music.

Other features of the expanded area include interpretive panels about the environment and “green” building, classrooms, a theater and space for videoconferencing.

See SBJ’s Aug. 21 issue for more real estate news.