I have a very long story as to how I got (back) into LEGO collecting a few months ago, but it is not all that interesting, so I will tell the short version. It pretty much was the result of a trip to the LEGO store at the Mall of America when I took my kids to the park there, and we went in search of LEGO Indiana Jones figures. To my dismay, the sets were long since discontinued, so I had to resort to the secondary market. Needless to say, I was blown away by how the prices and values of LEGOs skyrocket in such a short time. I was also very excited to see all the cool themes that were available, so I instantly picked up where I left off 20 years ago and bought some sets to build. I am also the entrepreneurial sort, so naturally I picked up a few to sit on to appreciate. Fast forward a few months... I have built over a dozen sets, sold over 100 mini figs on eBay, and dropped about $2500 in sets to collect in hopes they appreciate. I am having a blast! I am thankful that my love affair with LEGO was rekindled by a chance encounter while on a trip to MOA! Glad to be back! Aaron Hugo, Minnesota

Welcome to the site. You are not alone. By the way, you have one kick @$$ LEGO store in the Mall of America.

I was on my way back to Nebraska this last weekend and had a 3 hour layover in Minneapolis, I would be lying if I said it didn't cross my mind to make a super fast trip to the mall to hit up the store. I have nothing to compare it to, but that is one cool store.

I have never been to any other LEGO store before, so I have no comparison either. Is the MOA store better than most others? It is the MOA after all, so I supposed it is done on a more grand scale than other places. The giant LEGO statues sure are cool though!

Arock, Just curious if you have any Star Wars sets?

The only Star Wars sets I currently own are the Desert Skiff and Jabba's Palace. I am one of those collectors who typically tries to get everything that's in a theme, I like to complete everything. Star Wars presents a problem for me on this front. Lol. I do like a lot of the sets though. It would be a dream come true to be able to build a Death Star and Super Star Destroyer!

Hey have you seen the Architecture series? That might be something to look into since you are a self proclaimed ''completeist''. There are not alot of set in the series and the general consensus is that they will do well investment wise

Here are some pics of when I went to Mall of America last year. What an amazing place. There was a great shop in there with Flight Simulators. I had fun in there for a while :)

Jeff, It is indeed a fun place. I took a lot of the same pictures when I was there just last month. :)

I am intrigued by the Architecture series, but I am ultimately a little disinterested because of the small size of these sets. They are cool, but I always find myself wishing they were bigger and had more detail.

Sad to say I'm in the Twin Cities, have been to the MOA many times, love Legos, but never went to the Lego store! I know I'm missing out but, meh, someday.

Sue, you can't join a LEGO investment website and not go to your local LEGO store! No 'meh', I recommend heading there ASAP :)

I'm moving to Minnesota at the end of the month. Looking forward to going to the MOA.

Where are you moving to in MN?

Hoping for somewhere within 30 minutes of minneapolis.

The Lego store at the MOA is awesome. I live just outside the Twin Cities in the south metro.