Lego has been an integral part of childhood since the interlocking bricks first went on sale in Denmark in 1949. A multimedia juggernaut encompassing exhibitions, cinema, TV, books and theme parks, the brand is now opening its own interactive, bricks-and-mortar (geddit?) stores across the world. There are three already in Australia – Bondi Junction, Doncaster, Vic and Robina, Qld – and the fourth opens in Sydney on Saturday October 12.
The store stocks all of Lego’s major lines such as Lego City, Friends, Duplo, Ninjago, Lego Movie 2, Creator, Creator Expert, Ideas, Elves, Disney, Star Wars, Overwatch, Marvel and Harry Potter as well as cult, hard-to-find Lego products (Lego Stranger Things, anybody?).
Visitors can expect to be greeted by a Lego Broadway mosaic consisting of 51,769 bricks that took 124 hours to build, as well as a bespoke Broadway 3D model of 28,179 bricks that took over 180 hours to build.
Lego Play tables will give children the opportunity to get creative and build whatever they can imagine. Need more specific kinds of Lego pieces for that ambitious building project you’re working on? Make your way to the Lego Pick a Brick Wall, where you can choose as many bricks as you like to fill a small ($14.99) or large ($29.99) cup. It’s a fantastic way to acquire the bricks you need without having to buy a complete set. The Build a Minifigure station, meanwhile, lets you sift through vats of hats, heads, hair, torsos, legs and accessories to create your own figures (you can take home three for $19.99).
Whether you have little ones who love to build and play, or you’re an adult Lego aficionado, the fun starts in store on Saturday October 12 from 9am. You'll want to be early, though, because the first 100 customers will score a free Lego gift bag, and if you spend $199 or more in one transaction you'll receive a limited edition Lego store set. Face painting and balloon art will be happening at the grand opening, where you'll be able to meet Lego Masters 2019 winners, Henry and Cade, and get a selfie with Lego Movie characters Emmet and Lucy.
Further Lego Certified Stores are planned to open in Victoria, and next year Western Australia and South Australia will get their own stores too. You can find more info from Instagram and Facebook.