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Gretna Welcomes Nebraska’s First LEGO Store

Posted on by angelo
Gretna Welcomes Nebraska’s First LEGO Store

Grace Bellinghausen The Times







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Dressed as a yellow LEGO brick, complete with LEGO hands and a necklace, Joel Loftus, 11, walks toward the entrance with his family during the grand opening of the LEGO Store on September 20, 2024.


GRACE BELLINGHAUSEN, THE TIMES








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On opening day, the line snaked around the tree-lined median and stretched down both sides of the pedestrian walkways at Nebraska Crossing Outlets in Gretna.


GRACE BELLINGHAUSEN, THE TIMES


Nebraska’s first LEGO store made its colorful debut Friday at the Nebraska Crossing Outlets in Gretna, drawing thousands of eager fans who braved hours-long lines to explore the neighborhood’s newest bricks.

As the store’s window curtains were drawn, revealing a colorful display of LEGO sets, many fans had already been waiting all morning, some carrying lawn chairs on their backs. If you think in-person shopping is a thing of the past, this opening might just change your mind. A crowd of thousands, from families to teens and adults, some in costume, lined up, all with one goal: to get their hands on some bricks.

Inside, many fans took to interactive building stations, while most carried giant sets, some costing hundreds of dollars, as they waited patiently to cross the line, go home and begin assembly.

The 2,131-square-foot store was packed with fans of all ages excited to see the iconic bricks, which have captured the imagination for decades, finally have a home in the Cornhusker State.

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A father-son duo places their LEGO square on the corresponding coordinate at Nebraska Crossing Outlets in Gretna.


GRACE BELLINGHAUSEN, THE TIMES


“The LEGO Store at Nebraska Crossing will deliver unforgettable immersive experiences with the widest range of LEGO products, hands-on play opportunities for our visitors, exclusive promotions and fun in-store events,” said Travis Blue, vice president of retail brand stores Americas and EMEA, The LEGO Group, in a press release.







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The mural near Famous Footwear will be open all weekend to celebrate LEGO’s grand opening. Staff will hand out individual squares to guests in a paint-by-numbers style, where participants place colored bricks according to the dots on each square. Each square is numbered to indicate where it fits, and once the canvas is fully filled, the LEGO-themed Nebraska postcard will be on display through Sunday.


GRACE BELLINGHAUSEN, THE TIMES








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LOLUG club member Ren Hurp works the organization’s booth at the LEGO grand opening, showing off his LEGO build of a forest spirit inspired by the group’s recent theme, “Let It Grow.”


GRACE BELLINGHAUSEN, THE TIMES


The grand opening also featured interactive activities, including a community mural depicting a postcard-like scene of LEGO-themed Nebraska landmarks, a LEGO brick building activity and a table featuring artistic LEGO designs from the Lincoln and Omaha LEGO User Group (LOLUG).

“We were the first to know about the new LEGO store because we are recognized by LEGO,” said Nate Flood, president and founder of LOLUG. “We have worked with LEGO before and they asked us to come and promote our group.”

What began as Craigslist ads in 2012 looking for LEGO enthusiasts has grown into a thriving community of builders, elevating their hobby to museum-worthy heights through their love of the little plastic bricks. Their most recent theme, “let it grow,” has inspired mind-blowing pixelated designs of flora and fauna, transforming toys into works of art.

“I usually only go to physical LEGO stores when we go on family trips,” Flood said. “It’s great to have one in my neighborhood. I hope we can partner with them in the future.”

The LEGO Nebraska Crossing store is the $13 billion company’s 123rd physical store. Year-round, customers can enjoy features like the Pick and Build Wall and Build a Minifigure Tower, as well as the wide range of LEGO products, including exclusive items only available in-store.

The Nebraska LEGO Store is celebrating its grand opening with special offers. From September 20 to 22, customers received a free “I

Shoppers can also join the LEGO Insiders loyalty program, where they can earn points toward exclusive member discounts and benefits.

The LEGO Nebraska Crossing Store is open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information or to join the LOLUG club, visit lolugclub.org.