Business: Bricks & Minifigs Naperville
Address: 564 S. Route 59, Naperville
Phone/website: 331-226-2180; www.bricksandminifigs.com/naperville-il
Owner: Lydia Petrovic, 45, of Naperville
Years in business: 1
What does your business do? “We buy, sell, trade and party all things LEGO,” Petrovic said. “Someone comes in with a LEGO set or figures. We buy retired new and boxed, pre-built sets, loose bulk LEGO and minifigs.”
What about trading? “You can trade all of your items I just mentioned for store credit or cash.”
And the retired LEGO sets? “They retire sets. They never make them again.”
What happens at a LEGO party? “At a LEGO party, every guest builds a minifig they get to keep. And then they build amazingly cool cars that we race down the track. … They love to race. Then there’s time for a snack and presents. … It costs $400 for a 90-minute party package for up to 20.”
How was your grand opening? “April 5 last year, we had a line that started at 6:30 in the morning and it didn’t stop until 4:30 that evening. … I was a little nervous. But we were fully supported.”
What’s new? “We now have a direct relationship with LEGO. We have been an authorized LEGO reseller for years. Now, we are directly buying from LEGO. It is good (for us). We are unsure if the franchise will get special sets only for Bricks & Minifigs. That may be coming down the pipeline.”
Are there locations nearby? “Niles, Schaumburg, Carol Stream and Crest Hill.”
How many stores are there nationwide? “When I started, there were over 200. They say they’re at 300 now. There are some in Canada. That’s the only other country.”
Why did you acquire this franchise? “My family and I visited the Charlottesville, Virginia, location. … We had a phenomenal time. We were there for almost two hours. It was amazing. I have a fourth-grader, a second-grader and a kindergartener. They had a blast. … On the 16-hour drive back, I wondered if this is (a good business) for Naperville. We sent a message to corporate and they actually called back on the drive. And here we are.”
Why are you in Naperville? “Well, this is where we live. And they have territories. Only one (store) can go in a territory. My territory is Naperville, Bolingbrook, some of Plainfield, some of Aurora. We have 113 schools in our territory. Eventually, as we build up more and more, I think we’ll be more popular. In 2025, we opened in April and finished as the second-busiest store in Chicagoland.”
What were you doing before? “I was raising my family. Before that, I was the regional manager for a photography company, then I transitioned to nonprofits. I worked for one on the South Side of Chicago to help homeless people.”
Why are LEGO products so appealing? “For older adults, I think it’s nostalgia.”
Is it still fun for you? “It is, especially with my kids. … You can build things by yourself. You can do it with your family. … LEGO brings up memories for everyone.”
What are your hours? “11 to 7 every day. We trade from 11 to 6 every day unless posted on social media. Saturdays, Sundays and evenings are the busiest.”
How expensive can sets be? “We have some that are more than $1,000. Our Titanic sells for $670.”
What’s going on here May 2? “On May 2, we are celebrating May the Fourth Be With You, Star Wars Day. I don’t think we can technically say ‘May the Fourth Be With You,’ so it’s ‘Join Us on the Brick Side.’ We have over 100 retired and certified sets coming. A certified set has been built before. We break it down. It has all the pieces, all the minifigs, the instructions, ready to be built again.”
What’s changed? “Sets weren’t as elaborate as they are now. Now, because of the pandemic, they started catering more toward adults and It’s really paid off for LEGO. LEGO is a better investment than gold and silver. Prices go up for sets they don’t make any more. Some of the minifigs, one we sold this year for $500. We have a minifig table where you can make your own for $5. … Star Wars is the most popular genre (of sets). The Ninjago line just celebrated its 15th anniversary. We have licensed sets. Lord of the Rings. Indiana Jones. Disney.”
How many employees work here? “Eight.”
What’s your advice for someone starting a business? “It is more work than you realize. More time. More money. I am highly organized. Very good at planning. But when you are starting, it’s more of everything.”
Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun. If you know of a business you’d like to see profiled in Down to Business, contact him at metschmsfl@yahoo.com.
