You’ve probably seen a LEGO store before. They’re everywhere. Usually, they’re a predictable rectangle in a suburban mall with a "Pick-a-Brick" wall and some sets you could just as easily buy on Amazon. But the LEGO store at Mall of America is different. It’s a beast. It’s 6,500 square feet of pure, unadulterated plastic brick energy located right in the heart of Bloomington, Minnesota. If you’ve ever walked into the Mall of America (MOA) through the north entrance, you can’t miss it. It’s right there, looming over the rotunda like a colorful fortress.
It isn't just a shop. Honestly, it’s more of a landmark.
Back in the day, this spot was actually the "LEGO Imagination Center." It was one of the first of its kind. While most retail stores were struggling to keep people's attention, the LEGO Group realized that if you build giant robots and dragons, people will stop and stare. They were right. Even now, in a world where we’re all glued to our phones, there is something inherently magnetic about seeing an eight-foot-tall LEGO model that took someone hundreds of hours to build.
The Massive Models You Can't Ignore
When you walk up to the LEGO store at Mall of America, the first thing that hits you is the scale. We’re talking massive. There’s a giant red robot that looks like it’s guarding the entrance and a massive LEGO brick "mountain" that reaches toward the ceiling. These aren't those flimsy displays you see at a local hobby shop. These are Master Builder creations.
Most people don't realize that these models are designed at the LEGO headquarters in Enfield, Connecticut, or over in Billund, Denmark. They use specialized software to calculate the stress points because, believe it or not, when you stack that many bricks, they get heavy. Really heavy. If you look closely at the larger-than-life figures, you can sometimes see the internal steel skeletons that keep them from collapsing under their own weight. It’s engineering disguised as play.
One of the coolest things about the MOA location is the "vibe" of the builds. They change. While some staples stay for years, the store frequently updates its displays to match whatever is huge in pop culture. Whether it’s a life-sized Star Wars character or a scene from the latest Pixar movie, there’s always something new to take a selfie with.
It’s crowded. Let’s be real. If you go on a Saturday afternoon in the middle of December, you’re going to be shoulder-to-shoulder with a thousand other people. But that’s part of the energy. You see kids losing their minds and adults—AFOLs (Adult Fans of LEGO), as they call themselves—staring intensely at the back of a box trying to justify a $500 purchase.
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The Pick-a-Brick Wall and the "Haul" Mentality
Why do people travel from three states away just to visit the LEGO store at Mall of America? It’s usually the Pick-a-Brick wall. For the uninitiated, this is a massive floor-to-ceiling grid of clear plastic bins filled with individual bricks of every shape and color.
You grab a cup (small or large), and you fill it.
There is a literal science to this. Expert builders don't just pour the bricks in. No way. They "tessellate." They spend forty-five minutes meticulously stacking 1x2 plates to ensure there is zero wasted air in that cup. It’s a high-stakes game of Tetris. The MOA store has one of the largest Pick-a-Brick selections in the country, which means they often get the "good" pieces—the rare translucent slopes or the specific greenery elements that people need for their custom MOCs (My Own Creations).
If you’re looking for a specific set, they have it. The inventory here is staggering. Because it’s a flagship-level store, they get the high-end exclusives that Target or Walmart might not carry. Think the massive Technic cars, the $800 Millennium Falcon, or the boutique "Modular Buildings" that look like European architecture.
Why MOA is Different from Your Local Store
- The Play Tables: Most stores have a little bin. MOA has massive play areas where kids (and let’s be honest, adults) actually spend an hour building.
- The Exclusives: They often have "Mall of America" specific merchandise or stamps for your LEGO Passport. Yes, LEGO Passports are a real thing, and they are weirdly addictive to collect.
- The Staff: These aren't just retail workers. They’re "Brick Specialists." Most of them actually know the difference between a Technic pin and a friction ridge. If you ask them a deep-cut question about a 1990s Space theme, they might actually have an answer for you.
Getting There Without Losing Your Mind
Look, the Mall of America is a labyrinth. If you’re heading there specifically for the LEGO store at Mall of America, park in the North Court parking ramp. It’ll save you a twenty-minute walk through a sea of tourists. The store is located on Level 1, near the rotunda.
It’s also right next to Nickelodeon Universe. This is a blessing and a curse. It means you can hit the LEGO store and then immediately go ride a roller coaster, but it also means the noise level is constantly at a "10."
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If you want a quieter experience, go on a Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM. You’ll have the Pick-a-Brick wall all to yourself. You can actually hear yourself think while you hunt for that one specific 2x4 lime green brick.
The Economics of Plastic Bricks
Some people balk at the prices. "It’s just plastic," they say. But if you look at the secondary market, LEGO is basically a currency. Some sets appreciate in value faster than gold or stocks. The LEGO store at Mall of America serves as the "mint" for this currency. When a set is about to be retired, people flock here to grab the last remaining boxes.
The store also hosts events. Occasionally, they’ll have "Make and Take" events where kids can build a small model and keep it for free. These are absolute chaos, but they’re great for the community. It’s one of the few places left in the mall where you don't necessarily have to spend money to have a good time—though, good luck leaving that store without a yellow bag in your hand.
Is It Worth the Hype?
Honestly, yeah.
Even if you aren't a "LEGO person," the sheer artistry of the giant builds is worth a look. It’s a testament to what happens when you take a simple idea—a brick that clicks into another brick—and scale it up to a professional level. The LEGO store at Mall of America isn't just a place to buy toys; it’s a gallery of what’s possible with enough time and a lot of patience.
It represents a weirdly wholesome corner of modern consumerism. In a mall that has everything from high-end fashion to indoor theme parks, the LEGO store remains the anchor that everyone can agree on. Grandparents, toddlers, and moody teenagers all end up staring at the same giant LEGO towers.
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What You Should Actually Do Next
If you're planning a trip, don't just walk in blindly. Check the LEGO website or the Mall of America events calendar first. They often have specific "Double VIP Points" weekends. If you're buying one of those massive $400 sets, getting double points is essentially like getting $40 back in credit for your next purchase. It's a no-brainer.
Also, don't forget the LEGO Store Passport. If you don't have one, ask a Brick Specialist at the counter. They’re free. Every time you visit a different official LEGO store, they’ll give you a unique rubber stamp. It's a fun, nerdy way to track your travels, and the MOA stamp is one of the "big" ones to have in your collection.
Lastly, give yourself more time than you think. You’ll walk in thinking you’ll stay for ten minutes, and an hour later, you’ll be deep in a conversation about the structural integrity of the new LEGO Icons Eiffel Tower. That's just how the place works.
Quick Tips for Your Visit:
- Join the Insiders Program: It’s free and you get points for every dollar spent. At a store this big, those points add up fast.
- Check the "Hard to Find" Wall: This is usually toward the back or side. It contains the sets that aren't sold in big-box retailers.
- Use the Digital Box: They have a screen where you can hold a box up to a camera, and it shows you a 3D AR version of the completed model on the screen. It’s still cool, even after seeing it a dozen times.
- Ask about the "Monthly Mini Build": Sometimes they have leftovers or instructions you can snag.
The LEGO store at Mall of America remains a top-tier destination because it understands that retail needs to be an experience, not just a transaction. You go there to be inspired, to see something huge, and maybe, just maybe, to bring a little bit of that creativity home in a plastic cup.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check Inventory: Use the official LEGO website's "Check Store Stock" feature specifically for the Mall of America location before you drive out for a specific set.
- Plan for Off-Peak: Aim for weekday mornings to avoid the Nickelodeon Universe crowds.
- Bring a Bag: If you're planning a "haul," bring a sturdy reusable bag; those giant yellow plastic bags can be awkward to carry through a three-level mall.