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In lugnet.lego, Kyle D. Jackson wrote:
> In lugnet.lego, Tim Strutt wrote:
> >
> > Well, it's not really a "list" per se, but I was referring to this page
> > of new store openings on the LEGO site, which lists cities by country:
> > http://www.lego.com/legostores/
>
> Ah, okay. Y'know, I really can't tell the difference between "LEGO
> Imagination Centres", "LEGO Brand Stores", and "LEGO Outlets", from the
> point-of-view of buying selection. They sound the same as the 3 franchise
> stores we already have in Ontario (Windsor, Waterloo area, and north of
> Toronto). And compared to those (I've been to the first 2 a few times),
> the selection we get at PlayValue in Ottawa isn't too bad. If we were
> to get a LEGO store, I'd like to see it at PlayValue---no sense having
> two put each other out of business.
I can't speak to any of the others, but from what I know of talking to the folks
at Bricks & Blocks in St. Jacob's, they are an independent retailer. They
aren't a franchise or official company store in any way so far as I know.
Having said that, I still think they are a natural location to get a
Pick-a-Brick, since they already have an established reputation and customer
base. They have the permanent Egyptian exhibit, clearance products when
available, and most of the current line of regular products. I think a
Pick-a-Brick wall would work perfectly there, irrespective of an official store
opening in any other part of the country. The only question would be.... is it
possible for a non-company branded store to get this feature?
Just my thoughts.
Allan B.
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In lugnet.lego, Allan Bedford wrote:
> I can't speak to any of the others, but from what I know of talking to the folks
> at Bricks & Blocks in St. Jacob's, they are an independent retailer. They
> aren't a franchise or official company store in any way so far as I know.
Because those 3 Ontario stores carry special S@H packs and sets,
discontinued items, have displays, and have only a huge honkin' LEGO
logo out front, I had always assumed they were at least an officially
recognized exclusive brand store. I guess not. In any case, it seems
that their selection is the same as a LEGO Brand store combined with
a LEGO Outlet (thanx Brian). So in terms of shopping selection there's
not much (any?) difference between what Ontario has now and these other
"official" stores opening elsewhere.
> Having said that, I still think they are a natural location to get a
> Pick-a-Brick
I've been away a couple years..., what's "Pick-a-Brick"?
Thanx,
KDJ
______________________________
LUGNETer #203, Ontario, Canada
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In lugnet.lego, Kyle D. Jackson wrote:
> <snip>
> So in terms of shopping selection there's not much (any?) difference
> between what Ontario has now and these other "official" stores opening
> elsewhere.
> <snip>
> I've been away a couple years..., what's "Pick-a-Brick"?
Well, Brickshelf seems to be down this minute, so I can't pull out any
direct links, but when it's back up, just do a search in the gallery for
"pick-a-brick" or "pab", and you'll see pictures of the bins of bricks
in these stores that you pick any selection of parts and colours from
those available in the store and fill a container for a fixed price.
With the right stacking and time you can apparently get over 150 2x4
bricks, or almost 300 1x4x2 fences into a large container for $13US.
There is a wide selection of parts available, and it varies by store,
and with time. As they run out of one piece, they get boxes of new
pieces to fill the bins.
See the following links for lists of parts at a few stores:
http://news.lugnet.com/market/buy-sell-trade/?n=16187
http://news.lugnet.com/market/shopping/?n=10964
http://news.lugnet.com/org/us/gardenslug/?n=412
http://www.peeron.com/cgi-bin/invcgis/inv/lists/dan/solomon_pond_pick-a-brick?withpics=yes
http://www.peeron.com/cgi-bin/invcgis/inv/lists/dan/burlington_pick-a-brick?withpics=yes
If this is the first you've heard of it, then I'm sure that once you've
looked through the above, you will agree that we need PAB in Canada!
:-)
Tim Strutt
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In lugnet.lego, Tim Strutt wrote:
> In lugnet.lego, Kyle D. Jackson wrote:
> > <snip>
> > So in terms of shopping selection there's not much (any?) difference
> > between what Ontario has now and these other "official" stores opening
> > elsewhere.
> > <snip>
> > I've been away a couple years..., what's "Pick-a-Brick"?
>
> Well, Brickshelf seems to be down this minute, so I can't pull out any
> direct links, but when it's back up, just do a search in the gallery for
> "pick-a-brick" or "pab", and you'll see pictures of the bins of bricks
> in these stores that you pick any selection of parts and colours from
> those available in the store and fill a container for a fixed price.
> With the right stacking and time you can apparently get over 150 2x4
> bricks, or almost 300 1x4x2 fences into a large container for $13US.
> There is a wide selection of parts available, and it varies by store,
> and with time. As they run out of one piece, they get boxes of new
> pieces to fill the bins.
> See the following links for lists of parts at a few stores:
> http://news.lugnet.com/market/buy-sell-trade/?n=16187
> http://news.lugnet.com/market/shopping/?n=10964
> http://news.lugnet.com/org/us/gardenslug/?n=412
> http://www.peeron.com/cgi-bin/invcgis/inv/lists/dan/solomon_pond_pick-a-brick?withpics=yes
> http://www.peeron.com/cgi-bin/invcgis/inv/lists/dan/burlington_pick-a-brick?withpics=yes
Here's a really nice pic of a Pick-a-Brick wall:
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=546237
> If this is the first you've heard of it, then I'm sure that once you've
> looked through the above, you will agree that we need PAB in Canada!
> :-)
I couldn't agree more. :)
Allan B.
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In lugnet.lego, Kyle D. Jackson wrote:
> In lugnet.lego, Allan Bedford wrote:
> > I can't speak to any of the others, but from what I know of talking to the folks
> > at Bricks & Blocks in St. Jacob's, they are an independent retailer. They
> > aren't a franchise or official company store in any way so far as I know.
>
> Because those 3 Ontario stores carry special S@H packs and sets,
> discontinued items, have displays, and have only a huge honkin' LEGO
> logo out front, I had always assumed they were at least an officially
> recognized exclusive brand store. I guess not.
Again, speaking only about St. Jacob's... I've always thought of them _sort of_
like a car dealership. Most car dealers only sell one brand of cars, but
they're not really stores owned by the company that makes the product. I'm not
sure that's the perfect analogy, but I think it's close.
In this case, they are a toy retailer who only sells one company's toys. I
believe there is a deeper relationship between them and LEGO than you might
typically find in a toy store that just carries a shelf or twof of their
products. Hence the company-created display models. :)
> In any case, it seems
> that their selection is the same as a LEGO Brand store combined with
> a LEGO Outlet (thanx Brian). So in terms of shopping selection there's
> not much (any?) difference between what Ontario has now and these other
> "official" stores opening elsewhere.
I agree. That's why I suggested the Pick-a-Brick as all we really need there.
:)
> > Having said that, I still think they are a natural location to get a
> > Pick-a-Brick
>
> I've been away a couple years..., what's "Pick-a-Brick"?
Tim's reply to this question was bang-on. I added a link to a pic in another
reply. But it just seems to me that such a thing would work well in St. Jacob's
at least... based on what has already been mentioned.
Again, all of that is regardless of an official store opening somewhere else.
:)
Best regards,
Allan B.
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In lugnet.lego, Allan Bedford wrote:
> In lugnet.lego, Kyle D. Jackson wrote:
> <snip>
> But it just seems to me that such a thing would work well in St. Jacob's
> at least... based on what has already been mentioned.
>
> Again, all of that is regardless of an official store opening somewhere else.
I agree that PAB would be perfectly suited for any of the Bricks & Blocks
outlets in Southern and Central Ontario. Unfortunately, from what I have
understood, PAB has not gone into any of the existing stores. It has only
appeared in new stores. Again, just an observation. No comment on whether
this is a good choice on LEGO's part. ;-)
But regardless of that, we want a LEGO store in Ottawa. And no, I'm not
trying to put PlayValue out of business, I simply understand that
Pick-A-Brick will only appear in a LEGO store, and we want Pick-A-Brick!!!
Tim Strutt
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In lugnet.lego, Tim Strutt wrote:
> In lugnet.lego, Allan Bedford wrote:
> > In lugnet.lego, Kyle D. Jackson wrote:
> > <snip>
> > But it just seems to me that such a thing would work well in St. Jacob's
> > at least... based on what has already been mentioned.
> >
> > Again, all of that is regardless of an official store opening somewhere else.
>
> I agree that PAB would be perfectly suited for any of the Bricks & Blocks
> outlets in Southern and Central Ontario. Unfortunately, from what I have
> understood, PAB has not gone into any of the existing stores.
The Mall of America LEGO store got PaB. It existed long before the new push for
more stores. I may be misunderstanding you though.
As for whether the St. Jacobs store (N of Kitchener/Waterloo ON) would be well
suited, I am with Allan, I think it would be an awesome location for it. The
owners of the store have demonstrated that they know how to market LEGO well,
they've got lots of neat exhibits and activities and suchlike in their store.
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In lugnet.lego, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
> The Mall of America LEGO store got PaB. It existed long before the new push for
> more stores. I may be misunderstanding you though.
That's the first one I've heard of then. Excellent, that gives hope.
> As for whether the St. Jacobs store (N of Kitchener/Waterloo ON) would be well
> suited, I am with Allan, I think it would be an awesome location for it. The
> owners of the store have demonstrated that they know how to market LEGO well,
> they've got lots of neat exhibits and activities and suchlike in their store.
Yes, Bricks and Blocks has 3 locations, and the 2 I've been to are very well
done. They are done very professionally, and the large models and play areas
add a lot to the stores.
And yes, they would be great locations for PAB's, since they already have the
customer base as established LEGO Outlets.
But we still want a PAB in Ottawa!!! ;-D
Play well.
Tim Strutt
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In lugnet.lego, Tim Strutt wrote:
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In lugnet.lego, Larry Pieniazek wrote:
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The Mall of America LEGO store got PaB. It existed long before the new push
for more stores. I may be misunderstanding you though.
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That’s the first one I’ve heard of then. Excellent, that gives hope.
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The store in downtown Chicago got pick-a-brick as well. It was a while after the
other two stores in IL opened with Pick-a-brick first. My guess would be that
the new stores get it right away and then the other stores will get it
eventually.
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Yes, Bricks and Blocks has 3 locations, and the 2 I’ve been to are very well
done. They are done very professionally, and the large models and play areas
add a lot to the stores. And yes, they would be great locations for PAB’s,
since they already have the customer base as established LEGO Outlets.
But we still want a PAB in Ottawa!!! ;-D
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I’ve been to Bricks and Blocks in Windsor and I agree it would make a great
location for a pick-a-brick as well.
Jason Spears | BrickCentral | MichLUG
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The store in downtown Chicago got pick-a-brick as well.<
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How lucky are we here in the Chicago suburbs?????
3 P-A-B within an hours drive!
Pretty darn lucky I guess.................
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On Wed, 7 Apr 2004, Jeff Reuland wrote:
> > The store in downtown Chicago got pick-a-brick as well.<
>
> How lucky are we here in the Chicago suburbs?????
>
> 3 P-A-B within an hours drive!
Meanwhile, there are no Lego stores (as far as I know) in the region west
of Minnesota and north of California. That's what, a quarter of the US
and half of Canada, roughly?
So I agree with the Canadians that Canada should get a Lego store. . .
in Vancouver. :-)
--
TWS Garrison
http://www.morfydd.net/twsg/
Remove capital letters in address for direct reply.
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In lugnet.lego, Tim Strutt wrote:
> "pick-a-brick" or "pab", and you'll see pictures of the bins of bricks
> in these stores that you pick any selection of parts and colours from
Two words: WICKED!! Sweet aye-carubma, they've got colours I never
knew existed! When did pink show up?? Light pukey green? Man, having
a PAB around would be cool, the ultimate in bulk purchasing. The best
thing I see is the freedom of selection to mix as many different things
as you want, unlike the S@H "bulk", where you get bags of items in
fixed quantities with no control over the composition of the contents.
If LEGO consciously decides against putting stores in Canada, then
I hope they'll at least let the independent stores order PAB inventory
like any other set/item.
Nice!
KDJ
______________________________
LUGNETer #203, Ontario, Canada
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In lugnet.lego, Thomas Garrison wrote:
> On Wed, 7 Apr 2004, Jeff Reuland wrote:
>
> > > The store in downtown Chicago got pick-a-brick as well.<
> >
> > How lucky are we here in the Chicago suburbs?????
> >
> > 3 P-A-B within an hours drive!
>
> Meanwhile, there are no Lego stores (as far as I know) in the region west
> of Minnesota and north of California. That's what, a quarter of the US
> and half of Canada, roughly?
>
> So I agree with the Canadians that Canada should get a Lego store. . .
>
> in Vancouver. :-)
I totally agree. The only other store west of Minnesota not in California is in
Colorado. BC has just under a half million people less than Colorado. Plus we
don't have any small chain toy stores. I would think this is one of the lest
saturated markets in Canada right now (Aside from Zellers and Wal-Mart). I
remember there being a period of time 2 years ago when the TRU in Bellingham, WA
(Just South of Vancouver) had a better selection than any TRU in Greater
Vancouver. They had the S@H exclusives and the Target had the MOT sets. Sure we
see plenty of sales, but that's about it
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