Tag Archives: Shop

That’s one angry shop

Some places are inviting, but this microscale Seaside Shoppe by Halhi141 seems to be a grumpy fellow. Maybe I’m seeing things, but the crossbeams, red awning, and doorway arch make a perfect little face screaming “Go away!” And who puts a store on a remote island anyway? Still, that didn’t keep me from appreciating the excellent LEGO building techniques in play. Check out the minifigure scaled book that forms the roof, and the clever binocular chimney with cattle horn smoke. The landscaping is also worth a closer look, as cherries are used to create some perfect little shrubs. And I really like the curving path made from a animal tail element.

Seaside Shoppe

Mircoscale creations, when done right, pack a ton of detail into the tiniest places. Just check our archives for even more tiny goodness!

Well established and always ready for customers

Do you ever find yourself looking at a shop and wondering how it’s still standing? How is it that among all the fancy branded stores, these little guys continue chugging along? It has to be the people like Hoang H Dang‘s grandfather who keep these small businesses alive. No matter what country, it’s little shops like these that are the lifeblood of communities. Even if the walls are cracked and the electricty is sketchy, the magic is in the connections shopkeepers share with their patrons. This LEGO build is a lovely tribute to the nostagia of that little Vietnamese store. And this article goes out to all the small businesses that are still chugging along, even through these rough times.

If you’d like to see more stuff by this builder, check out this fishing boat, and a Vietnamese home ready for the Lunar New Year.

The tools of the trade

Whether you like your role playing games online or dice based, we can all agree on the joys of spending that hard-earned gold on some serious equipment upgrades. Spencer’s shop offers the discerning adventurer a smorgasbord of LEGO swords, shields, and other paraphernalia. The store has it all from your standard spear to the more exotic aftermarket weapons, and for the right price I’m sure that shifty looking dwarf might even supply a black market Mega Bloks Halo sword – but that’s just speculation, and you definitely didn’t hear it from me.

Shopping

Wake up and smell the coffee

Nothing starts the day off better than a good cup of joe, and where better to get your caffeine hit than at Andy’s Café. Built by Norton 74, this coffee stand boasts a beautiful retro modernist design, with an elegant curved façade, bustling terrace and funky coffee cup signage. The iconic ‘we’re here’ arrow makes sure you don’t pass this one by.

Coffee Stand | Andy's Cafe

The interior is a barista’s paradise, overflowing with coffee grinders, an espresso machine, sprinkles, syrups and pastries. In amongst it all are some lovely LEGO techniques: simple touches like the placement of white cones on single studs to suggest stacked cups. Continue reading →

Business is budding at Bricks & Blooms

Sometimes I wish I could water my LEGO collection, give it some sunlight, and watch it grow. After harvesting the bricks, I would build this beautiful garden centre designed and rendered by Bricked1980. It fits right in with the LEGO Group’s existing series of modular buildings. The builder has made excellent use of color, with vibrant green vines and shrubbery set against the architecture’s earth tones and white trim. I particularly like the sunflower hanging above the entrance, as well as the use of lime green minifigure afro hair for topiary bushes

Click to see more details about Bricks & Blooms

Outstanding sweltering frankfurters with this classic LEGO diner

If you have ever tried to imagine where the Collectible Minifig Series 13’s Hot Dog Guy would feel most at home, wonder no more as Andrea Lattanzio has captured a rare glimpse of him in his natural habitat. He looks pleased as a pickle surrounded by grazing minifigs scarfing down delicious hot dogs at perfect picnic tables, while the local cat sniffs hungrily for food. I love the tall arrowed sign and the giant hot dog on the roof.

Hot Dog Stand

Take a moment to appreciate all the small details that all add up to a great little scene; the gumball machine, soft-drink dispenser and delivery guy to name but a few. Continue reading →

Small business

LEGO’s Cafe Corner sets evoke a world of historic multi-story architecture and fine European living. So where are the sets that folks on Main Street can relate to? Well, eyescream54 has provided the solution, just in time for Labor Day…

First up is this donut shack, complete with super-enthusiastic shopkeeper, fully loaded fryer, and a brick-built sign that’s probably big enough to be seen from space.

Not sure if that race car belongs to the shopkeeper – maybe that’s why he looks so happy!

Next we have an authentic pizzeria, with authentic brick oven, and authentic Italian owner…

 

And finally, this totally tubular surf shop, complete with surfer dudes waxing their boards..

 

Fingers crossed that this builder’s next creation is an Irish pub!