Bricks & Minifigs has officially terminated its partnership with the owners of its Salem, Oregon franchise, Brandon Best and Joshua Johnson. This decision comes amidst a troubling investigation linked to a significant social media backlash and operational issues at the store.
Closure of Salem Franchise
The Salem location, known for buying, trading, and selling LEGO® products, has permanently closed its doors. The decision follows a detailed investigation that revealed major operational gaps during the franchise’s management.
Background of the Investigation
The investigation unearthed evidence suggesting gross negligence by the previous owner, Chrystal Law/Gorman. Internal documents highlighted discrepancies that led to complications in managing a private consignment agreement with collector Bryan Mansell.
Key Findings of the Investigation
- Evidence of three separate accounting records related to Mansell’s LEGO® collection was discovered.
- The collection is appraised between $95,000 to $100,000, a figure consistent with Mansell’s statements from a podcast in April 2025.
- Reports indicated over $52,000 worth of products were sold from the collection during Law/Gorman’s tenure, contrary to her claims.
Response from Bricks & Minifigs Leadership
Ammon McNeff, the CEO of Bricks & Minifigs, expressed a commitment to resolving the situation with Bryan Mansell. He reiterated the franchise’s willingness to compensate Mansell for any unaccounted items from his collection.
Offers of Compensation
McNeff has reached out to Mansell, offering to discuss the lawsuit against him and review sales data to ensure Mansell is adequately compensated. This gesture aims to rectify the mishandling associated with the previous franchisee’s agreement.
Future Actions
Bricks & Minifigs has also offered the inventory of Mansell’s collection to him multiple times, with the last approach occurring in May 2026. The company aims to restore trust and clear any misunderstandings stemming from the previous management’s practices.
Conclusion
The Salem story serves as an example of the challenges faced by franchise operations. Bricks & Minifigs is dedicated to upholding its principles and ensuring customer satisfaction, especially in light of past mismanagement issues.
