St. Petersburg families will have a new destination for LEGO enthusiasts when Bricks & Minifigs reopens its store at 2775 Tyrone Blvd. on Saturday. The grand reopening, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., marks the latest expansion for the Bricktopia Tampa Bay company, owned by father‑son partners Doug and Connor Phares.
Family roots and local focus
For the Phares family, building LEGO sets has always been more than a hobby; it’s a bonding experience. Doug, a longtime corporate professional who previously worked in news publishing, teamed up with his son Connor after an earlier venture in boat rentals proved unsuitable for the family. Together they saw an opportunity in the Bricks & Minifigs franchise, which began expanding in Pinellas County after the flagship store opened in Clearwater in April 2024.
“We realized there’s a lot of synergy between our stores,” Doug Phares said. “Customers are already traveling between locations, and owning both lets us share inventory, host joint events, and better serve the community.”
What the store offers
Unlike large‑box retailers, Bricks & Minifigs carries a curated selection of brand‑new LEGO items and specializes in resale. The store purchases retired sets, completed builds, loose bricks, and mini‑figures from local collectors, cleans them, and puts them back on the shelves. This approach not only provides affordable options for families but also preserves the nostalgia of LEGO collections that might otherwise be discarded.
“People are offloading their collections because something is changing in their lives,” Phares explained. “We bring those bricks back to the community so someone else can enjoy the magic.”
Community impact
The reopening is expected to draw LEGO fans from across St. Petersburg and the surrounding Pinellas County area. By offering both new and gently used sets, the store supports family play, encourages creativity, and contributes to the local economy through small‑business growth.
Visitors are invited to celebrate the grand reopening on Saturday, explore the inventory, and learn about upcoming building events and workshops that the Phares family plans to host.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
