In a statement released on June 4, Bricks & Minifigs announced that it is permanently closing the Salem, Oregon, location at the center of a Star Wars LEGO controversy. The company also said it is parting ways “with franchise owners Brandon Best and Joshua Johnson due to a devastating social media campaign.”
The decision comes as the dispute over Bryan Mansell’s Star Wars LEGO collection continues attracting national attention online. Much of that attention has been driven by YouTuber Reckless Ben’s long-form investigative videos, which have themselves become the subject of heated debate.
Internal Investigation Reveals New Questions
According to the company, the decision followed an internal investigation that “uncovered significant evidence of gross negligence” in operations under the Salem store’s previous owner, Chrystal Law/Gorman. Bricks & Minifigs leadership said it uncovered documentation that challenges the “speculative social media narrative” surrounding the value and sale of the Mansell family’s Star Wars LEGO collection.
Ben “Reckless Ben” Sneider in one of his YouTube videos – YouTube @RecklessBen
According to Bricks & Minifigs, the investigation of the Salem store uncovered evidence suggesting that Law/Gorman maintained three separate sets of records relating to the collection. Each reportedly contains a different accounting of what was sold and places the collection’s estimated value between $95,000 and $100,000. That figure is significantly lower than the roughly $200,000 valuation frequently cited online.
Bricks & Minifigs further claims that the records indicate Law/Gorman sold at least $52,000 worth of the collection. The company says that amount is substantially higher than what had previously been reported by the former franchise owner.
The company also said a review of point-of-sale data is underway. The review covers the period when Law/Gorman managed the collection under what Bricks & Minifigs describes as an “undisclosed side agreement.”
Why Bricks & Minifigs Is Parting Ways With Franchise Owners
That side agreement and the complications that followed may be central to Bricks & Minifig’s decision to close the Salem store. After Law/Gorman was removed from the franchise, Best and Johnson took over operations.
Bricks & Minifigs franchisee Joshua Johnson in leaked police bodycam footage – BAM Sucks, YouTube
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Rather than defending the Salem franchise, the company is now publicly distancing itself from Best and Johnson as part of a “mutual agreement.” The statement emphasized that many of the events surrounding the dispute occurred before the current ownership group assumed control of the store. It also noted that “Chrystal Law/Gorman was never authorized to enter into a consignment agreement with Mr. Mansell through the franchise and never introduced Mr. Mansell to BAM or the new incoming franchisees.”
According to COO Matt McNeff, the investigation confirmed that Best and Johnson “were not aware of, nor prepared for the responsibilities of taking over a store from a forensic accounting review standpoint. This led to due diligence issues in coming to resolution with Mr. Mansell.”
Company Offers Olive Branch to Mansell Family
Notably, Bricks & Minifigs indicated that it remains interested in meeting with Bryan Mansell in an effort to resolve the dispute over the collection. In the statement, CEO Ammon McNeff said he would be willing to drop the company’s lawsuit against Mansell.
He also offered to review spreadsheets and point-of-sale data with the family to determine appropriate compensation. Additionally, McNeff stated that “whatever Star Wars LEGO was or remains in the Salem store, whether you identify as yours or not, you can have it.”
Legal Battles Continue
Despite the closure of the Salem store, the broader controversy shows little sign of ending.
Ben “Reckless Ben” Sneider in one of his YouTube videos – YouTube @RecklessBen
READ: Leaked Police Bodycam Footage Adds New Twist to Bricks & Minifigs Controversy
Multiple legal disputes remain active, and public scrutiny has increasingly shifted toward other figures involved in the saga. Recent bodycam footage featuring a phone call between Bricks & Minifigs CEO Ammon McNeff and the American Fork Police Department generated renewed discussion online, while Reckless Ben continues to face lawsuits and possible criminal charges stemming from his investigation.
The closure of the Salem location represents the most significant action Bricks & Minifigs has taken since the controversy began. Yet with lawsuits still active, new evidence continuing to emerge, and key questions unresolved, the dispute shows little sign of disappearing anytime soon.
Do you think Bricks & Minifigs closing the Salem store will help resolve the issue? Let us know in the comments!
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