Unsplash.com: CC PD
Bricks & Minifigs (BAM) have officially parted ways with franchise owners Brandon Best and Joshua Johnson, as well as permanently closing their location in Salem, Oregon.
The authorized LEGO reseller quietly shared the news in a June 4 blog post, revealing that this decision was the direct result of a “devastating social media campaign,” alluding to YouTuber Reckless Ben’s viral videos on the topic.
The post also stated that investigations into the matter uncovered “significant evidence of gross negligence” by the Salem, Oregon store’s previous owners, including “operational gaps during the transition and the subsequent management of document recovery.”
According to the post, BAM personally reached out to Bryan Mansell, the original owner of the disputed $200K LEGO Star Wars collection, and came to a “mutual and positive resolution.”
Unsplash.com: Markus SpiskeThe disputed LEGO Star Wars collection at the center of the Bricks & Minifigs saga has been valued by the business at $95K – $100K, half of what was initially touted online.
BAM says that the deal between Mansell and the previous owners of the Salem, Oregon location struck an “unauthorized and private consignment side-deal” that predated Brandon and Josh’s ownership of that particular store.
Bricks & Minifigs CEO offers to compensate LEGO Star Wars owner
Bricks & Minifigs CEO Ammon McNeff provided a statement regarding this resolution, saying they “finally” have enough information and documentation to proceed.
“Bryan, we continue our offer to sit down with you and are prepared to discuss dropping the lawsuit against you,” McNeff said, offering to go through all available POS data to ensure he is “made whole monetarily” and that “whatever Star Wars LEGO was or remains in the Salem store, whether you identify as yours or not, you can have it.
“We will ensure you are compensated for anything unaccounted for, including what Ms. Law/Gorman failed to compensate you for without your knowledge. We’re ready when you are.”
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The post went on to value the Star Wars collection at $95,000 – $100,000, saying the initial $200,000 figure was “simply the promotional value” that the previous owners “used to bring excitement for the public viewing in November 2023.”
Bricks & Minifigs
Ultimately, they determined that the previous Salem, Oregon owners were not authorized to enter their agreement with Mansell through their franchise, saying they “never introduced” him to BAM or the new owners.
In a separate blog post, BAM indicated that they were willing to drop Mansell as a defendant in their ongoing lawsuit against Reckless Ben due to his viral videos on the subject.
This is the latest information to come from this ongoing viral case after unredacted police bodycam footage of Reckless Ben’s arrest was leaked online the previous day.
