YouTuber Reckless Ben has opened a new LEGO resale store in Tucson, Arizona, at a location previously operated as Bricks & Minifigs Southeast Tucson while a lawsuit involving the franchise company remains ongoing.
Ben, whose real name is Benjamin Schneider, became widely known after investigating a disputed LEGO Star Wars collection that the Mansell family said was improperly handled after being consigned to a Bricks & Minifigs store in Oregon.
The dispute led to arrests, police investigations, viral videos and a lawsuit from BAM Franchising. The Mansell family later reached a settlement with BAM, while the separate case involving Schneider and other defendants remains active.
A federal judge has allowed Ben to discuss the lawsuit and conduct lawful investigative journalism, while restrictions remain on threats, trespassing, doxxing and interference with Bricks & Minifigs stores.
The first Reckless Bricks store opened at noon on Saturday, September 12, at 8110 S Houghton Road, Suite 162, in Tucson. The address was previously listed as a Bricks & Minifigs location operated by Theodore and Ingrid Roberts.
The new shop advertises LEGO sets, action figures, die-cast cars, collectibles, custom minifigures, bulk bricks, trade-ins and birthday parties.
Its website describes the business as veteran-owned and operated, although the supplied material does not establish whether Schneider personally owns it.
During a livestream, Ben said the store had been struggling and claimed its sales were down 70% compared with the previous year, although that figure has not been independently verified.
He also promoted Reckless Bricks as an alternative to the BAM franchise system, saying other Bricks & Minifigs owners could rebrand their stores and “pay me zero percent.”
“If this store is successful, then all of the other stores might follow,” Ben said. “And so we’re calling this the first domino.”
BAM marketing director Katelyn Fagan told franchisees that corporate was taking “swift, decisive, and appropriate action” in response.
Ben’s anti-SLAPP motion is due September 18, with mediation also scheduled for the coming week.
