Tri-Cities’ first Lego brick store is a family affair
When it comes to Lego, if you know, you know.
And in the Tri-Cities, people who know the plastic brick construction toys know Mike Thomas, a Kennewick enthusiast who turned most of his garage into a Lego shop and ran a lively online business buying and selling new and used sets.
Now, Mike and Dana Thomas together with daughters Payton and Makayla and son Nathen have opened The Brick Shoppe at 3902 W. Clearwater Ave., #110, in Kennewick’s Town Square strip mall.
The Lego-focused store offers fans a place to buy and sell new and used Lego sets, swap Lego stories and :Lego strategies and even hold Lego-themed events, including children’s birthday parties.
The Brick Shoppe held a soft opening before Christmas after the family converted a former tattoo shop into a family-friendly toy store and gathering place
It marks its official grand opening Saturday, Jan. 6.
Tri-Cities go-to Lego spot
Mike and Dana James both hold down day jobs but Mike in particular dreams the store will grow beyond its modest beginnings into an eventual retirement job.
“I would like to see this place grow and become the Lego destination for the Tri-Cities,” he said.
The heart and soul is The Brick Shoppe’s Lego parts library, an expansive inventory of all manner of Lego bricks in all manner of colors. For Lego fans who find they’re missing key bits, it is a potential gold mine of parts that can allow them to complete projects.
The Lego Group, the Danish manufacturer, makes thousands of different Lego bricks in dozens of colors. The first Lego toys debuted in 1958 and today, the increasingly complicated sets and packages are bought, built, stored and, frequently, resold.
Lego happy place
Mike James enjoyed Lego toys as a youngster but credits his passion for tinkering with them spotting toys on display at a yard sale. He brought them home and began building sets of increasing complexity.
His interest took over two of three spots in the garage, leaving just enough room for his wife’s car.
“My toys are more important than my car,” he joked.
The hobby evolved into an online business, buying and selling sets. For James, nothing beats sitting down with a tub full of Lego bricks and teasing out different figurines. He’s tackled up to 14 co-mingled sets.
He shared his love of Lego with the family, but said he particularly loves the small figurines and their “little happy” faces.
Transforming the family’s love of Lego into a business began with a casual visit to Brick Buy Brick, a store in downtown Spokane that buys and sells new and used Lego sets. Dana was intrigued.
“We should do this,” she remembered saying. “We can do this.”
Family affair
They decided to make a go of it, with a big hand from their grown children.
Dana took care of the minutiae of starting a business, including securing the right licenses. She created the website and found the spot in Kennewick.
Makayla designed the logo and oversees social media.
The store relies heavily on Mike’s personal inventory and the Lego items that customers bring by. The Lego Shoppe recently qualified to purchase new products through a wholesale dealer, which will ensure a steady supply of new items.
James said the store can compete with big box retailers on prices of new Lego sets while providing a deeper connection to true fans. The store sells vintage Lego sets as well as modern.
The couple funded the business with personal funds. They have a two-year lease for the store and used retirement money to buy tables, a cash register and other display items.
The Brick Shoppe is an independent Lego store that falls in the category of “fan shops” operated by enthusiasts.
Bricks & Minifigs is the official Lego franchise. The nearest Bricks & Minifigs locations are in the Seattle area and in Portland.
Mike James said the startup costs for the franchise were too steep, and he was confident Lego fans would find his shop.
“If people do Lego, they will find you,” he said.
Store hours are noon-7 p.m., weekdays, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday and 1-6 p.m., Sunday.
Go to thebrickshoppe.com or follow the business on Facebook and Instagram.
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