Over the weekend, The LEGO Group opened its 15th certified store in Malaysia at Sunway Velocity Mall. It is the first official LEGO store in Malaysia that would let visitors get up close and touch the latest playsets.

Operated by Box of Bricks, the ‘retailtainment’ concept of the store is based on other LEGO stores abroad that lean towards a more tactile experience. Despite the store’s modest size, it is packed with not only shelves of playsets but also a Build a Minifigurestation, a build-and-play desk for kids, a mosaic wall, and more.

The mosaic wall is an original. Built by Nicholas Foo, one of the 15 LEGO Certified Professionals worldwide, it features Malaysian icons, from buildings to wildlife. The whole image is made up of 37,146 1×1 square flat plate studs and took 60 hours to build. However, I could have sworn I had seen the design before.

For those new to LEGO, the new LEGO store in Sunway Velocity is a chance to feel and play with the playsets. For seasoned LEGO fans, it is an opportunity to look at all the hidden details of a playset without plexiglass getting in the way. It’s the perfect place to get some photos of the sets and with them too.

However, I am sceptical of how long before the sets on display will go back behind clear plastic. In Malaysia, toy stores had to wrap their LEGO playsets in plastic, put sofubi in plastic bags, and put some toys behind the counter or in cases to prevent prying hands from damaging the product.

Looking at the sets, unglued and out in the open, gave me anxiety. I even found a LEGO piece from one of the playsets on display outside the store on opening day.

I hope this will not be Malaysia’s last ‘retailtainment’ LEGO store.

This LEGO Certified Store is located at Lot 1-19, Level 1, Sunway Velocity. Right next the the excelator.