COCKEYSVILLE, MD — A Lego resale store is opening its first Maryland location next month.
Bricks & Minifigs, named after types of Lego pieces, is opening in Cockeysville's Yorktowne Plaza. The grand opening will feature a fan favorite from a Lego building TV competition.
The franchise is owned by Nicolas Lopez, an alumnus of St. Paul's School in Timonium.
Lopez grew up in Baldwin and played baseball for St. Paul's and the Carroll Manor Red Birds. He attended the University of Kentucky before transferring to Towson University. He now lives in Towson.
"We wanted to open close to home and work with the community that I grew up in," Lopez told Patch in a statement. "I spent much of my time in the Timonium and Cockeysville area, and my grandparents live nearby as well. Cockeysville felt like the perfect place to start Maryland's first Bricks & Minifigs."
The store employs 14 workers and spans 2,700 square feet at 30 Cranbrook Road. It will hold its grand opening on Saturday, Sept. 6.
The celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and includes:
Mel Brown, who competed on Season 1 of "Lego Masters," will attend and greet fans.
Lopez's journey with Lego "started at a very young age."
"I have always loved collecting and building sets, and I visited every LEGO® store my parents or grandparents could take me to," he said. "That early passion grew over the years into a lifelong enthusiasm for the creativity and community that LEGO® inspires."
Bricks & Minifigs specializes in buying, selling and trading all things Lego. That includes retired and new sets, bulk bricks and thousands of minifigures.
Along with its retail store, Bricks & Minifigs has a birthday party room that can accommodate up to 25 kids. There will also be Lego activities for children and adults at the business.
"Customers can expect a fun, creative, and family-friendly environment where they can buy, sell, and trade LEGO® sets, bulk bricks, and minifigures," Lopez said. "It's a place for enthusiasts of all ages to discover, shop, and play."
Entrepreneurship runs in Lopez's family.
"My parents have both owned small businesses in the area, and my grandfather was also a very successful businessman," he said. "Inspired by that legacy, I knew I wanted to run my own business. After doing my research, I found that Bricks & Minifigs was the perfect fit for me, and I knew I wanted to bring it to Maryland."
Customers can learn more at bricksandminifigs.com.