From collector to store owner: Robo Briks & Grafix

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - The traditional building brick can create countless possibilities when stacked together.

One brick enthusiast has been collecting sets for 20 to 30 years and now owns her store in Rapid City.

“Since I wanted to start my own store, I thought let’s just take half of what I have because I bought two of each of everything and start our own store. My husband said ‘Well you won’t know unless you try it,’ so that’s what we did,” said Joanne Felix, co-owner, Robo Briks and Grafix.

Robo Briks and Grafix, located in Uptown Rapid, has been open for more than four years.

Originally starting in the Traders Market in the mall, a year and a half later co-owner Felix would expand to her store.

“I really wanted to expand, and do birthday parties, and all that kind of stuff, and we really couldn’t do that in the Trader’s market three days a week. So, we contacted the mall and they said ‘Yeah, we would love to have you. We don’t have toy stores around here.’” said Felix.

Although Robo Briks and Grafix have only been around for a couple of years in Rapid City, the toy has been around much longer. Lego was founded in 1932 and has 904 stores globally.

Legos have been named Toy of the Century twice, according to Lego.

If someone has been interested in starting to build, Felix says to start with a smaller set first and move up.

“You either hate it or you love it. Luckily most people love it, but there’s a certain kind of person that likes Lego,” said Felix.

When choosing what merchandise to bring in, Felix says she strives to bring in items you can’t find at big box stores.

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