Denver Lego Store

[Clanure]

Hello,

My Wife has been gracious enough to agree to accompany me on a small vacation to Denver to check out the closest LEGO store (about 8 hours away) in a couple of weeks, and I was wondering what to expect? I've never been to a LEGO store and am really looking forward to it. I don't want to let my imagination get the better of me so can anyone tell me about hours, stock, anything at all with relation to the store in Denver?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Clanure

[Classicsmiley]

Hello,

My Wife has been gracious enough to agree to accompany me on a small vacation to Denver to check out the closest LEGO store (about 8 hours away) in a couple of weeks, and I was wondering what to expect? I've never been to a LEGO store and am really looking forward to it. I don't want to let my imagination get the better of me so can anyone tell me about hours, stock, anything at all with relation to the store in Denver?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Clanure

There are actually two LEGO stores in the Denver area - an Outlet in the Colorado Mills mall, and a Brand Retail in the Park Meadows mall. Are you going to try to get to both of them? (There's probably at least an hour drive in between them.) I'd suggest calling both of them before you come, and asking about availability of new sets, Pick-a-Brick stock, etc.

Have fun!

[Clanure]

There are actually two LEGO stores in the Denver area - an Outlet in the Colorado Mills mall, and a Brand Retail in the Park Meadows mall. Are you going to try to get to both of them? (There's probably at least an hour drive in between them.) I'd suggest calling both of them before you come, and asking about availability of new sets, Pick-a-Brick stock, etc.

Have fun!

Wow, I didn't realize there were 2. Is one better than the other? I've got all Saturday to check them out, so I think I'll try to hit both just for fun. I would assume because they are LEGO stores they should have everything available, right? I've got quite a shopping list, but I'm pretty flexible if things aren't in stock.

Thanks!

[Lyichir]

I love the Lego Stores in the D.C. area, and I expect the Denver ones would be similar. Lego Stores supply most current sets (including ones which would normally be exclusive to certain retailers, like Target or Toys R Us). Additionally, all the sets will be at MSRP, meaning sold at Lego's recommended price rather than inflating the prices (again, here's looking at you, Toys R Us). They even sell non-sets like ice cube trays and umbrellas which would normally only be stocked online at the Lego shop website. And also like the Lego Shop website, VIP program members receive VIP points on every purchase.

Finally, there are a number of things Lego Stores have that other stores do not. First among these is the Pick-a-brick wall. Unlike the Pick-a-brick online, the pick-a-brick at Lego stores is sold by volume rather than part count. You're given a large or small cup to fill with whichever parts you want, which can allow you to get a much better price than the per-piece sales online. Usually the wall is mostly composed of basic bricks and common elements, but occasionally they stock rarer parts or colors. Somewhat newer at these stores is the "build-a-mini" kiosks. These are similar to the pick-a-brick wall, except you pay a flat rate for three minifigures built from the provided components. This is somewhat more expensive, but you can still get useful minifigure parts this way, such as Pirates mermaid tails, Space Police III Blacktron torsos, and, as of recently, parts from Collectible Minifigures Series 1.

Lego stores also hold special events occasionally, such as Lego Club meetings or collaborative builds hosted by Master Model Builders. Often these are geared toward the younger crowd, but you often can encounter a fellow AFOL or two. It can be hard to get to these events unless you plan ahead, though: check the sites the previous poster linked to to see if any store events coincide with your trip.

TL/DR; you should definitely go. It's a Lego fan's dream experience

[TheWarden]

If you do go, and you do go to both, and you do want to hit the Pick a Brick wall, then bring a extra container. If you fill a cup at one store (dump it in the container in your car) and bring the cup back in, they usually have a sticker on the side with 50 cents off or something if you reuse the cup.

Also stack pieces in the cup to your advantage. Read our PAB cup thread here http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=27795

It's pretty long so set a few minutes aside.

Edited August 18, 2011 by TheWarden

[Clanure]

If you do go, and you do go to both, and you do want to hit the Pick a Brick wall, then bring a extra container. If you fill a cup at one store (dump it in the container in your car) and bring the cup back in, they usually have a sticker on the side with 50 cents off or something if you reuse the cup.

Also stack pieces in the cup to your advantage. Read our PAB cup thread here http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=27795

It's pretty long so set a few minutes aside.

Thanks for the suggestion. I do plan on going to both and seeing as how I've got from 10:00AM to 9:00PM, I'll try and do at least 1 PAB from each, just for fun. Anything else I should know? Any AFOL etiquette I should remember (I'm usually pretty good at this, but would hate to transgress unintentionally).

[Rook]

8 hours away!? Sounds like you're in the vortex known as Lincoln, NE. 8 hours from anything and everything. Plan on coming home broke and happy. Everything at the Lego Store you can get on Lego.com pretty much. However the best thing about Lego Stores is the bulk PAB. PAB selections change regularly so it's kind a luck of the draw on what you'll be able to get when you get there. They should also have a "build your minifigure" which once again varies from week to week.

Edited August 19, 2011 by Rook

[Erdbeereis]

I'm not familiar with the Denver stores. However, definitely look at the pick-a-brick wall because you can find some great pieces for a relatively low price there if you get lucky. They should have all of the exclusive sets, and basically all of the things you can find on Shop at Home. Have fun!

8 hours away!? Sounds like you're in the vortex known as Lincoln, NE. 8 hours from anything and everything. Plan on coming home broke and happy. Everything at the Lego Store you can get on Lego.com pretty much. However the best thing about Lego Stores is the bulk PAB. PAB selections change regularly so it's kind a luck of the draw on what you'll be able to get when you get there. They should also have a "build your minifigure" which once again varies from week to week.

Are you in Lincoln?! I thought you are in Canada?

I'm in the vortex as well.

[jadeirene]

If there's any sets that are out of stock at the stores that you want, as long as S@H still carries it, the store will order it for you and ship it free to your home.

[Clanure]

I apparently live in a LEGO vortex anyway. I'm actually really surprised Salt Lake City, UT doesn't have a LEGO store. As it stands now my shopping list looks like this:

Unimog

Maersk Train

Maersk Ship

Shuttle Expedition

Diagon Alley

Winter Village Bakery

Emerald Night

Tower Bridge

Imperial Flagship

Medieval Market Village

Excavator

I'll get a few PAB from each store too I think.

I'll probably get the SSD if it's in stock (cutting the timeline close, I know), though it will take some heavy negotiations with the better half. Then I'll pick up whatever else I can until funds run out. That should catch me up on all the exclusives I'm interested in. Unless I'm lucky enough to see the Winter Village Post Office or the VW Bus.

Thanks Again,

Clanure