Community Highlights: Meet Betty Poquez of Bricks & Minifigs Pasadena

Today we’d like to introduce you to Betty Poquez.

Hi Betty, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
For most of my life, I’ve worked in the corporate world, following a path that looked successful on paper but I’ve always felt like I was meant for a different purpose. I knew I needed a change, though I had no idea what that would look like. Then 2021 arrived, and like many families, we found ourselves at home, searching for something—anything—to keep us engaged. A kind neighbor dropped off a bin of LEGO bricks, and what began as a simple way to entertain our kids became something much more. I had always thought of LEGO as those painful little pieces you step on and never wanted them in the house, but when we sat down together to build, something unexpected happened: the kids were delighted, and my husband and I were too.

That single bin of bricks turned into a household passion. We built set after set, rediscovering a sense of play and creativity I hadn’t felt in years. On a whim when we were trying to find a specific LEGO set, we found Bricks & Minifigs, a specialty LEGO reseller, and we began making weekend trips to their Ontario store. Those visits were like treasure hunts, each one sparking more curiosity and excitement. When I learned it was a franchise, the possibility of opening a store in our community lit a spark. I finally saw a way to build something—literally and figuratively—that combined family, creativity, and community. In May 2024, after months of hard work and planning, we opened Bricks & Minifigs Pasadena, turning what began as a simple pastime into a life-changing calling.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting a small business is never easy, and ours was no exception. My husband and I had no background in commercial real estate, business loans, or retail operations. Every step—from securing financing and signing a lease to remodeling the space—was a lesson learned in real time. There’s something humbling and motivating about investing your life savings in a dream; it forces you to grow quickly and meet challenges head-on. Our grand opening on May 4, 2024, was a beautiful milestone, but it was only the beginning. Learning to foster a team, forecast inventory, and balance the countless moving parts of daily operations stretched us in ways we couldn’t have imagined.

Then, just as we were finding our footing, the Eaton Fire struck. Our store was spared, but our home suffered significant damage. Navigating temporary housing, insurance claims, and repairs while running a young business tested our resilience to the core. Beyond our own experience, we watched neighbors lose their homes and local businesses close their doors forever. There’s a collective grief in the community that is hard to describe—a quiet, ongoing mourning for what was lost. Yet through it all, the support and strength of our customers and neighbors coming together has been extraordinary. That shared determination to rebuild reminds me daily why this work matters and why our community is worth investing in.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Bricks & Minifigs Pasadena?
Bricks & Minifigs Pasadena is more than a retail store—it is a place where creativity and nostalgia meet, a space where families, collectors, and newcomers alike can experience the joy of building. Like traditional LEGO retailers, we carry current sets, but what makes us unique is our focus on retired and out-of-print sets, rare minifigures, and individual pieces that span decades of LEGO history. Visitors can find everything from classic sets from the 1980s to hard-to-find characters from Star Wars, Marvel, DC, Lord of the Rings, and beyond.

Our mission is rooted in family and community. We welcome young builders discovering LEGO for the first time, guiding curious parents about the hobby, and helping grandparents search for a meaningful gift. Throughout the year we host free, family-friendly events—scavenger hunts, build contests, and giveaways—that celebrate imagination and connection. We also operate on a buy-sell-trade model, giving families the chance to pass along sets they’ve outgrown and to see those bricks spark creativity in someone else’s hands.

What makes me proudest is not just the wide-range of inventory we carry, but the atmosphere we cultivate. When people walk into our store, I want them to feel joy and inspiration—to remember the child-like excitement of opening a new set or to discover the gratification of creating something entirely their own. Bricks & Minifigs Pasadena stands as a reminder that play and creativity are not just for kids; they’re essential to how we connect and grow together.

What’s next?
Every day we look forward to deepening our connection with this amazing community—continuing to serve our neighbors, supporting those still recovering from the fires, and sharing the joy and creativity that LEGO brings. In the near term, we’re planning more in-store events and collaborations that celebrate creativity from holiday events, themed contests, and partnerships with local schools and organizations. Our goal is to make Bricks & Minifigs Pasadena not just a place to shop, but a hub for imagination and connection.

We are laying the groundworks to expand our reach beyond our Pasadena storefront by launching an online shop. It will let us share rare sets and unique finds with fans who can’t always make it into the store, while still keeping that personal, welcoming touch we value so much.

Longer term, our focus is on enriching what we already have. We want to keep evolving our in-store experience, adding creative events, workshops, and collaborations that inspire builders of every age. We want to keep realizing our goal of keeping Bricks & Minifigs Pasadena a vibrant destination where people can gather, create, and celebrate the endless possibilities of LEGO.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bricksandminifigs.com/pasadena-ca/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bampasadena/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BAMPasadena/
• Other: https://linktr.ee/bampasadena