A longtime Lego bricks collector and former IT worker has opened a Bricks & Minifigs store in Lawrence, giving locals a closer option for buying, selling and trading Lego products.
Bojan “BJ” Conrad, who grew up in Lawrence and now lives in Overland Park, said he began collecting Lego bricks in second grade and has kept most of the bricks he has owned since.
After nearly 20 years working on find-a-doctor sites, Conrad said he was laid off and began looking for a new direction.
“After my severance ran out, I cottoned on to Bricks & Minifigs, and it was full go from there,” Conrad said.
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The franchise specializes in new and used Lego products, including boxed and retired sets, individual minifigures, loose bricks and accessories. The store also buys collections from the public, offering either cash or higher-value store credit.
The new Lawrence store, at 2108 W. 27th St., drew more than 1,000 visitors over its first two days, Conrad said. He said crowds continued throughout the grand opening day, even after he arrived at the store around 9 a.m. and saw only a handful of people outside.
“I was pleasantly surprised,” he said. “They kept showing up.”
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Conrad said he began exploring franchise options about a year ago and chose Lawrence because he felt connected to the community. He had also heard local Lego bricks fans do not want to drive to the Kansas City area to visit other Lego stores.
A Bricks & Minifigs store in Oregon gained national attention earlier this year after a consignment agreement was not honored during a transfer of ownership.
Conrad said this issue was specific to that franchise, and the owner of the store was consigning products even though it is against Bricks & Minifig rules. Conrad and other Bricks & Minifig owners are not affiliated with that store. Despite the national attention, he said the franchise model gave him more resources as a first-time business owner.
Much of the store’s initial inventory came from Conrad’s personal collection, while other merchandise came from collectors who were downsizing. One seller said he was liquidating his collection to make a down payment on a house, Conrad said.
Conrad said Bricks & Minifigs is not a Lego wholesaler when it comes to the newest Lego sets. However, as he figures out the inventory system, it will be more likely that customers can find new sets among the many shelves.
He said he intends to stock a broad range of Lego bricks themes rather than focus only on his own interest in space-themed sets. For example, Conrad said, if botanicals become very popular, he would expand the store’s selection of botanical sets.
“I’m not buying for me,” he said. “I’m buying for everybody.”
Customers can bring in built sets, individual minifigs or loose pieces to sell or trade. Staff members examine items for completeness, condition and authenticity before making an offer.
“There’s a lot of knockoffs out there,” Conrad said. “A lot of people don’t know about that.”
Using internal metrics and online resale prices, Conrad said he aims to set prices near the middle of the market range.
“This isn’t a boutique. It’s a Lego store. It’s for everybody,” he said.
Conrad said he wants the store to remain accessible to children and families while also carrying sought-after items for collectors.
His son, Gavin Conrad, a junior in high school, helped launch the store and will work Sundays during the school year. Conrad said his son is especially knowledgeable about Bionicle and Ninjago products.
“Hopefully someday if he wants to take over and I can retire, maybe that’ll happen,” Conrad said.
For now, Conrad said he is still learning the rhythms of a new business after a career in technology. The opening weekend reassured him there is an audience for the store.
“This is a new business. I’m not from that background,” he said. “Whatever is rough will eventually be smooth.”
The Lawrence chamber of commerce will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18 at 2108 W. 27th St.
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Courtney Lane (she/her), staff reporter, has worked with The Lawrence Times since April 2026. She can be reached at [email protected].
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Jacob Rice (he/him), photo editor, has worked with The Lawrence Times since March 2026. He can be reached at [email protected].
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