Smarty Alert: LEGO store to open in SouthPark Mall

If you are a mom of all boys, and found yourself thanking your lucky stars you didn’t have girls when you heard American Girl was coming to SouthPark, the gloating stops now.

Right. Now. (Moms of girls, I wouldn’t gloat quite yet – this news is for you, too – those LEGO® Friends are SOLID.)

That’s right, a new LEGO® store will open this summer at SouthPark Mall in the Nordstrom wing next to Lilly Pulitzer. This is just in time for those dog-days of summer where you’re so sick of the pool, and the mall is one of the only air-conditioned, viable options for taking a bunch of bored kids.

So with this breaking news, Smarties, I want you to answer this:

Where is OUR safe place?

It’s definitely not the mall anymore. When my kids were littler, and time was all we had during the day, I used to spend hours with them just walking around the mall, throwing an entire sleeve of pennies into the fountain, maybe visiting the book store for a little train set action. I was just thinking about how lucky moms of toddlers are to have that new playground in the outside food court area, but now, eeek, I am kind of re-thinking their luck. But, maybe my four-year-old’s tantrums for the newest LEGO set will finally stop the kiosk electronic cigarette and flat iron hustlers from bombarding me once and for all. This could be a win-win…except for when the puppies are in the Christmas tree area. Then, I’m out.

All that being said, this is a big addition to SouthPark and great news for the city. We hear the store will feature a kid-chic design, innovative displays and play areas that “deliver an engaging, entertaining and fun experience for families of all ages.” The “Pick-A-Brick Wall” will offer the option to hand pick and purchase specific LEGO bricks and elements in a variety of colors and shapes in bulk (birthday gifts DONE). There will be a “Living Room,” an interactive play area prominently positioned in the center of the store, giving kids a chance to get “hands-on, minds-on” with LEGO products. Plus, there will be a “Brand Ribbon” that runs the circumference of the store, featuring LEGO® model displays, company history and fun facts to entertain parents and kids.

The store will have LEGO products for children ages 2 and up, including DUPLO® sets, NINJAGO, Elves, Friends and CITY and popular licensed items such as LEGO Star Wars, LEGO Disney Princess and LEGO Super Heroes.

We’ve hit the big leagues, Smarties. And for those of you who remember SouthPark back in the day, you know how far we’ve come. Who would’ve thought that SouthPark would be a destination rather than just a quick stop by Units and dinner at Woolworth’s? And, who would’ve thought that I’d be able to bypass all theme park family vacations with just a trip to a few stores at SouthPark? We just need the Disney store back in action, and we’ll be all good to go. Oh, and maybe a carousel. 😉

Welcome to Charlotte, LEGO! We can’t wait to play with you!