Oct. 2, 2020, was a date long awaited by local LEGO fans. On that autumn Friday, crowds of mask-wearing—remember, it was only a few months into the pandemic—Western New Yorkers lined up inside the Walden Galleria for their entry to the area’s first-ever LEGO Store.
For my son (then 10 years old), this was a major event. As the large crowd of children and adults indicated, he was not alone.
Three years later, LEGO is more popular than ever before. (And my house is absurdly full of minifigures, builds and stray bricks.) Let’s explore some unique elements of WNY’s love of LEGO.
Lifetime fandom turned dedicated hobby
A key element in the continued growth of LEGO is its popularity among adults. Considering the complexity (not to mention the price) of many sets, this is not surprising. Many AFOLs—Adult Fans of LEGO—have been building since they were children.
People are also reading…
For the members of the 18-and-older BuffaLUG—“LUG” stands for “LEGO Users Group”—a lifetime of fandom has developed into a unique hobby. If you have attended events like Nickel City Comic Con, you may have seen the group’s astoundingly large, and impressively creative, custom builds.
Eric Santiago is the group’s cofounder and president. He explains that BuffaLUG began in early 2021 as a Facebook group, before eventually moving to in-person meetings at Pearl Street Grill & Brewery. Today there are 25 active members who attend meetings, volunteer at events and participate in building collaborations. Bringing these builds to shows, however, is not easy.
“There is a steep learning curve when it comes to transporting builds,” Santiago says. “Luckily, everything can be put back together. Any time you are creating something to display at shows, you really have to build with quick setup and teardown in mind. Also, plastic wrap is your friend.”
A build inspired by Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland by Jon Breidert.
While children cannot join BuffaLUG, engaging with young fans has great meaning for members. Encouraging LEGO play for kids in Buffalo is especially important.
“As a kid, LEGO was an escape from the harsh realities of inner-city living,” Santiago says. “It’s an expensive hobby, so many kids who are currently growing up in the same conditions as I did can’t afford to buy super expensive sets, or any at all. We had a LEGO toy drive in June 2022, and there were enough sets for two full classrooms. It was a good start, but I know we can do better with the right strategic partners.”
Library LEGO clubs
For some, LEGO building is a solitary hobby—but it does not have to be that way. Kids can take advantage of the numerous LEGO clubs offered by the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library system. Dan Lewandowski, the Central Library Youth Services librarian and manager, says the type of imaginative play exemplified by LEGO connects with the library mission.
“When people hear the word ‘literacy’ they immediately think of reading and the written word, but I like to think of it in a broader sense, as well,” says Lewandowski. “LEGO clubs bring people together to help create a sense of community, and libraries can display childrens’ creations, which foster self-esteem.”
And with so many clubs available—the full list can be found at buffalolib.org—there is sure to be one nearby.
“Each neighborhood is unique; a LEGO club at one library may look totally different from a LEGO club at another,” Lewandowski says. “I think librarians will continue to find new and captivating ways to use LEGOs to help better serve our communities.”
A world of creativity at the AKG
One of the newest LEGO play opportunities can be found in an unexpected location: the Buffalo AKG Art Museum. A unique element to the newly renovated space is the Creative Commons area for ages 5 and older, which was created in partnership with the LEGO Foundation.
Andrew Mayer, the museum’s manager of marketing and media relations, says the partnership began with a conversation at a 2020 art fair between the Dr. Janne Sirén, AKG’s Peggy Pierce Elfvin Director, and a member of the Kristiansen family, who founded the LEGO company in 1932. More formal conversations between AKG and LEGO Foundation leadership followed.
The resulting area “allows visitors the opportunity to take the inspiration they’ve gotten from the artworks in our collection and use it to create something of their own,” Mayer says. “We love seeing the interactions that take place—people making new friends, kids excitedly seeing their creations on the TV screens and the general sounds of people having fun.”
LEGO road trips
There is plenty of LEGO fun to be had in Buffalo, but other options await within driving distance.
• Brick Fest Live, featuring builds and other LEGO attractions, is coming to Rochester’s Riverside Convention Center on Nov. 11 and 12.
• My son and I had a blast at Bricks in the Six, a LEGO show held in Mississauga, Ontario in July. Keep an eye out for 2024 dates; this is a must-attend for local fans.
• The LEGOLAND Discovery Center is an indoor experience with rides and attractions located just north of Toronto.
• I took the family to LEGOLAND New York, located about five hours away in Goshen, last summer after it opened. It was absolutely worth the trip (read the story at buffalo.com).
‘Your imagination is limitless’
So, why does LEGO continue to inspire both children and adults? Santiago says the evolution of the product is one reason. Another, he believes, is the impact of the pandemic. “Many people got into the hobby with all the downtime they had,” Santiago says.
For the BECPL’s Lewandowski, the continued popularity of LEGO comes back to creativity: “The cool thing about building with LEGOs is that your imagination is limitless.”
