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LEGO Creator Pet Shop close to retiring

There have been rumors circulating that the #10218 LEGO Creator Pet Shop is going to get retired soon. While LEGO usually doesn’t outright say that they are planning to retire a set, there are signs that indicate a set is soon going to be gone. In case of the LEGO Creator Pet Shop there are several indicators; the set has been around since 2011, and based on how long previous LEGO Modulars stayed around (two-four years), it is due to being retired this year. In addition, the only place you can still find the set is at the Online LEGO Shop (it shows as out of stock but you can still order it). So let’s talk about this before it’s to late. 🙂

#10218 LEGO Creator Pet Shop

As I have mentioned above, the #10218 LEGO Creator Pet Shop was released in 2011 and to this day it is considered one of the best sets in the LEGO Modular Buildings line. The most obvious feature of the set is that it is split into two buildings on two 16×32 stud baseplates. This makes the buildings extremely versatile; you can put them next to each other in two ways, and you can also mix them in between other buildings. Also, if your display-space is a bit short, you might still be able to squeeze in one half next to the other sets that are all on 32×32 baseplates.

#10218 LEGO Creator Pet Shop Details

The LEGO Creator Pet Shop has another major advantage; it is the easiest building to duplicate to create row-houses. In other words, if you get multiple sets you can put several of the apartment side of the buildings next to each other to make a row of apartments, and you can also duplicate the pet shop side to create a row of small stores. I have also seen people rebuilding both sides on a full 32×32 baseplate, thus making both buildings wider. While others add an additional second story to make the buildings taller. And you can also rebuild both buildings in different colors (the sand-blue side of the buildings looks particularly nice in sand-green). The point is that this is one of the most versatile of all the LEGO Modular Buildings.

#10218 LEGO Creator Pet Shop View

The inside of the LEGO Creator Pet Shop also has a lot of options. The pet shop side of the building can be turned into other type of small stores (I converted mine into a little grocery store). You can also play with the lettering above to the shop to make out different words and learn the art of lettering with LEGO. And the little split-story apartment above the pet shop is absolutely lovely. The other side with the big three-story apartment is originally quite bare, with just a couch, small tables, moving boxes and a minifig painting the walls – all indicating a family just moving in. Some LEGO fan’s didn’t like that this building is not finished on the inside, however I think this increases the playability, and allows you to tinker with the set long after you finish building it. (I should add here that all of the first LEGO Modular Buildings were unfinished on the inside. It is a fairly new development that now they have a fully furnished.)

As you can see, the LEGO Creator Pet Shop is very modular and very creative in so many ways. While the other sets in the LEGO Modular Buildings line are a lot more specific, and would take quite a bit of effort and money to make them into something else, the LEGO Creator Pet Shop can easily be duplicated, modified, refurnished, redecorated in so many different ways. It is truly the most adaptable of the entire collection. And it also looks really sweet as it is. A lot of people consider the LEGO Creator Pet Shop as their most favorite LEGO Modular Building to this day. I myself count the set in my top three favorite LEGO Modulars – especially the sand-blue side (photo below: Pet Shop Steet by cimddwc).

LEGO Modular Pet Shop Street by cimddwc

Going back to how this set is rumored to be retired soon, if you have ever considered getting it, please don’t wait. I remember last year when the #10224 LEGO Creator Town Hall was retired suddenly and ahead of schedule. The LEGO Creator Town Hall is the most expensive in the collection and a lot of people felt that it was a bit too big, too expensive, and not too interesting compared to the other ones, but still, when the set disappeared from the shelves there were so many frantic people trying to get one. It was just really sad. The LEGO Creator Pet Shop is much more desirable than the LEGO Creator Town Hall, and it is also much cheaper. Once the set is gone though, expect prices to skyrocket on the secondary market, like we have seen with all other LEGO Modular Buildings. So even if you are not fully ready for it, just get it now and put it away until you are.

LEGO Modular Buildings Series

The #10218 LEGO Creator Pet Shop is listed as out of stock at the Online LEGO Shop, however this simply means that you can still order it, but may need to wait a bit until you receive it. Although the listing says it will ship in 30 days, in my experience out of stock items ship much-much faster than that. There is a limit of five sets per household, so you have the option to get extra ones for customizing and expanding, like we talked about before. Also, remember that this set qualifies for free shipping even if this is the only item you get, and also right now we are still in the Double VIP Points period (expires in just four days), so you can earn 299 points on this set, which is basically like a $15 discount. You can find the LEGO Creator Pet Shop, as well as the more recent LEGO Modular Buildings at the Online LEGO Shop.

Shop LEGO Modular Buildings

So what do you think? Do you have the LEGO Modular Pet Shop already? Or are you considering getting it while it is still available? Are you planning to get just one, or get some extras as well? Feel free to share your thoughts and discuss in the comment section below! 😉

And you might also like to check out the following related posts:

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Minifigs camping out with LEGO tents

When I place an order at the Online LEGO Shop, I always take a look at the Sales & Deals section before I finalize my purchase, as I often find some interesting odds and ends there for a really good price. The last time I went shopping I picked up the #850967 LEGO Friends Jungle Accessory Set with a LEGO Friends mini-doll and a little tent. This set was originally a companion accessory for the LEGO Friends Jungle line released in 2014, and I have been eyeing it for some time, but at $15 it was just too expensive. So I was happy to see that it is now available at half price for $7.48 at the Online LEGO Shop, which is much more reasonable. 🙂

#850967 LEGO Friends

LEGO tents are an interesting and unique accessory that so far appeared in only a few sets, so it’s worth to track them down. Besides the above mentioned #850967 LEGO Friends Jungle Accessory Set, in 2014 there was another similar set in the LEGO City Arctic line, the #850932 LEGO City Arctic Polar Accessory Set (it is now sold out at the Online LEGO Shop, but you may be able to find it at some retailers).

#850932 LEGO Arctic

Then we have to go back several years for another tent in the #7624 LEGO Indiana Jones Jungle Duel, released in 2008. And before that we can find only two more tents all the way back in 1998 in the #5978 LEGO Adventurers Sphinx Secret Surprise, and the #6584 LEGO Town Extreme Team Challenge. So as you can see tent are quite rare.

#7624 LEGO Indiana Jones Tent

All of the above mentioned LEGO tents are based on the same design; a pre-cut, pre-folded piece of cloth that stands up on its own once attached to a brick-built frame. The material is quite sturdy and comes with nice prints that you can use in many settings.

#850932 LEGO Arctic Tent Details

In the video review below JANGBRiCKS will show you the tent in the #850967 LEGO Friends Jungle Accessory Set. As you can see, it is a pretty sweet little set, comes with some nice accessories, and the tent has a good bit of room inside for customizing.

While the previously released LEGO tents we talked about above came in regular LEGO sets, the #850967 LEGO Friends Jungle Accessory Set, and the #850932 LEGO City Arctic Polar Accessory Set from last year are both packaged in blister-packs. I believe this makes them even more appealing to collectors who like interesting and uncommon LEGO sets and strong packaging materials to keep them safe.

LEGO Tent Sets

I’m very happy with the LEGO Friends Jungle Set that I got, and I’m especially happy that it is now half-price. In fact I’m considering picking up a couple of more just so I have a few more tents. If you are interested to check it out, the LEGO Friends Jungle Accessory Set is still available (I assume it will be retiring soon as it is on sale) under the LEGO Friends section and the LEGO Sales & Deals section of the Online LEGO Shop.

Shop LEGO Friends

So what do you think? Do you have any LEGO tents? Which one? And how do you like them? And what do you think of the LEGO tent accessory sets we talked about here? Are you considering getting some? Feel free to share your thoughts and discuss in the comment section below. 😉

And you might also like to check out the following related posts:

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