LEGO, Not A Toy But A Phenomenon

This post started out to be a review of an independent Lego store in Plant City,Florida but I got carried away…

Searching For LEGOs

It’s a little hard do describe the Lego phenomenon. Maybe it was a toy similar to a number of building toys like Lincoln Logs or Erector sets that came before and after, but in popularity none of those came anywhere near the LEGO success.

The Titanic LEGO

As we travel we’ve rarely been to a place where you don’t rum into LEGOs. From South Africa to Singapore, Denmark to Lima you can shop for the bricks. In Singapore we found a whole store dedicated to LEGO people and in Belfast, Northern Ireland at the Shipyard Museum was a LEGO store featuring a $1,000 Titanic LEGO kit. At the Vasa Museum in Stockholm there was an entire room of LEGO models displaying the history of the Vasa warship.

Lego model in the Vasa Museum

Lego store at Walt Disney World

Also as you travel you’ll find a number of LEGO owned and operated stores with one of the more famous being at Walt Disney World in Orlando, but just recently we discovered one of the most amazing LAGO stores in Plant City, Florida a little over an hours drive from Disney World. It’s an independent store called Brick City Bricks (Their website is HERE )

We were out exploring in Central Florida and stopped in Plant City to visit a winery/brewery. Walking down Reynolds Street we just stumbled upon this store front. It’s a business based on a Lego collection that just kept growing. The owners are true LEGO fans, love to talk and they have an amazing inventory and offer a number of special events regularly. If you should find yourself near Plant City be sure and visit.

BRICK CITY BRICKS Store Information . Mon-Fri: 10AM-6PM | Sat 10AM-4PM Sunday Closed. Telephone (813) 756-6256 – Location 107 E Reynolds St, Plant City, FL 3356

The History of the Brick

Billund, Denmark

LEGO, an international toy brand, originated in 1932 when Ole Kirk Christiansen, a Danish carpenter, began crafting wooden toys in his workshop in Billund, Denmark. The company, known as the LEGO Group, has remained family-owned and has evolved significantly over the decades, transitioning from wooden toys to the iconic plastic interlocking bricks first manufactured in 1949.

Lego exhibit in the Prague Central Station

The name “LEGO” is derived from the Danish words “leg godt,” meaning “play well,” which reflects the company’s commitment to creativity and playfulness. Over the years, LEGO has expanded its product line to include elaborate themed sets and has become a staple in children’s play and education worldwide. Today, LEGO continues to innovate while honoring its rich history, making it a significant player in the toy industry.

The headquarters of LEGO is centered on LEGO® House a 110,000 square foot building located in LEGO’s home town of Billund, Denmark that opened in 2017. LEGO® House is a unique experience house located at the centre of Billund, – Home of the Brick. The building will allow LEGO fans of all ages to feel the magic of the LEGO universe and have the ultimate LEGO experience all year round. A number of new LEGO experiences and a sea of LEGO bricks will greet children and adults alike, inviting them to unleash their creativity.

LEGOLAND, Florida

In addition to manufacturing their iconic bricks a creating themed sets the company operates ten LEGOLAND Parks located in Billund (Denmark), California (USA), Dubai (UAE), Florida (USA), Germany, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New York (USA), and Windsor (UK). These large theme parks offer rides, shows, and attractions for families, while the company also operates smaller, indoor LEGOLAND Discovery Centers in a number of locations around the world.