Tosa Block Party Announces Expansion And Cafe

WAUWATOSA, WI— Tosa Block Party opened in 2017 in Wauwatosa as a small LEGO retail place and play area. In 2018, the store continued to host birthday parties and LEGO educational programs. While the coronavirus pandemic has hurt many businesses, owner Scott Shelnutt is looking toward the future.

He plans to expand Tosa Block Party by adding an eating establishment when his business moves to 10600 West Bluemound Road in October. The request will be discussed during the Wauwatosa Plan Commission meeting on Sept. 14.

Shelnutt said he loves Wauwatosa and wanted to stay put. Besides, he joked, it would be a pain to have to change Tosa Block Party to something else.

People may ask why make a change now?

"If I can get this thing built now, then when things are a little bit safer, people can come and enjoy the food and play experience," Shelnutt told Patch.

The business will still be called Tosa Block Party, and will add the "Play Well Cafe" for kids during the day. The expansion will also include the Brick Bar, which will be open in the evenings for adults.

Shellnut's vision includes opening a LEGO-themed restaurant called "The Play Well Cafe" while continuing to offer birthday parties and educational opportunities. Shelnutt explained the name of the cafe, "LEGO," is derived from the Danish words, "leg godt" meaning "play well."

The "Play Well Cafe" will be open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., seven days a week. Admission will be $8. During this block of time, healthy prepackaged snacks will be available for purchase.

A STEM Academy and education programs for home-schooled children will be offered from 1-6 p.m., Monday through Friday. It is also available for after-school programming.

"Block Parties" — LEGO-themed, of course — will be offered from 1-6 p.m. Food such as pizza, popcorn and nachos will be available, and parents can grab a glass of wine or beer.

The adults-only Brick Bar will be open from 7-11 p.m., seven days a week, with food and wine available.

Shellnut has been sketching out a pony wall built of LEGO-like bricks to separate the dining and play areas. He wants to build furniture and walls out of EverBlocks, which is a modular building system of oversized plastic blocks that resemble LEGOs.

The play area will have strict rules of no food or beverages, and visitors are required to take off their shoes. They must wear socks.

Until the move is complete, Shelnutt is focusing on selling memberships.

"We have been extremely hurt as a business that promotes sharing things (due to the pandemic)", he said.

Tosa Block Party has not held any early childhood classes or programs since the pandemic hit. The business has done a few small group activities and had some reservations and appointments.

"It was very difficult as LEGO is all about collaborating and playing with others," Shelnutt said.

He plans to offer afternoon programming in the fall but for a group of four or five kids.

While parties are not a great idea right now, if someone wants to have a small party with "their small bubble of people," Shelnutt said he is open to it. His mission is to keep people safe.

A huge LEGO enthusiast himself, Shelnutt said LEGO is the most developmental toy ever created.

LEGO is not just for children. Even adults get into the toy. Shelnutt said he has had people bring in a creation they were stuck on to ask for help. Customers even will ask for assistance in adding cool features such as lights to a creation.

As an AFOL (Adult Fan of Lego) himself, Shelnutt said he has always enjoyed relaxing and unwinding with infinite plastic bricks.

"LEGO is truly for everyone," he said.