Today we’d like to introduce you to Thomas Mckay.
Thomas, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
It’s hard to admit when something you once loved no longer fits — especially when it’s tied to your identity. After two decades in tech and years in the video game industry, I hit a wall. What once felt creative and full of possibility had turned into routine and metrics. I stopped feeling challenged, and burnout quietly crept in. The industry had shifted, and I couldn’t see where I fit anymore.
For a while, it felt like the end — not just of a job, but of a chapter I thought would define my whole career. Around that same time, I had my first child, and that changed everything. I didn’t want to show him that this was what life looked like — sitting behind a computer, disconnected, and watching the days blend together. I wanted to build something real — something I could teach him, something that would give him a foundation to fall back on if he ever needed it.
So, I took the leap. I quit.
I didn’t have a roadmap, just a clear vision of the life I wanted to build. Everything I’ve ever enjoyed has been a treasure hunt — opening packs of Magic cards in the early 2000s, watching gold-mining shows, scouring listings for hidden gems. LEGO tapped into that same excitement.
That’s how Austin Block Shop began. I started small, buying used collections, sorting bricks, and offering cash for LEGO to make selling easy for people who just wanted a simple, honest transaction. Then we hosted our first LEGO garage sale — just a small event in our driveway. We had no idea what to expect, but the response blew us away. People waited over 30 minutes just to get in and see what we had. That day changed everything.
Since then, we’ve kept going — hosting garage sales when we can and growing our online presence through AustinBlockShop.com
and BrickLink, with BrickOwl coming soon. We buy, sell, and trade everything from bulk LEGO to rare minifigures and verified complete sets.
We’re not where we want to be just yet — but we’re paying our bills, putting food on our table, and no longer tethered to a desk chair. What started as a way to take back control of my life has become something much bigger: a growing community of collectors, builders, and fellow treasure hunters chasing creativity, curiosity, and joy — one brick at a time.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not. Starting from scratch has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. We burned through a lot of our savings getting Austin Block Shop off the ground — learning everything the hard way, one decision at a time. There were plenty of early mistakes: bad buys, poor timing, and moments where we felt completely buried under inventory or logistics we didn’t yet understand.
There have been times we questioned whether we could actually make it work — but each setback taught us something valuable. We learned how to buy smarter, price more accurately, and streamline our process. We built better systems, stronger relationships, and a deeper understanding of what our customers really value.
It’s been far from smooth, but every challenge pushed us to adapt and refine what we do. And now, even though we’re still growing, we can finally say we’re building something sustainable — one step, and one brick, at a time.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Austin Block Shop?
At Austin Block Shop, we buy, sell, and trade authentic LEGO® — everything from bulk bricks to rare minifigures and certified complete sets. We’re based in Austin, Texas, and what started as a small garage sale has grown into a full-time business with a loyal online and local community.
What really sets us apart is how we operate. We specialize in making the process of selling LEGO simple, transparent, and fair. We pay cash, offer local pickup, and handle everything from sorting to cleaning and verifying sets. For buyers, we focus on quality and trust — whether it’s a 100% complete, bagged, and verified set, or a bin of bulk parts ready for creative builds, we make sure people know exactly what they’re getting.
We’re known for attention to detail and for bringing a personal, human touch to the world of LEGO reselling. Every collection we buy has a story, and we take pride in giving those bricks new life — whether that means rebuilding them, identifying rare pieces, or helping collectors find that one missing figure they’ve been searching for.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that we’ve built something that feels authentic and community-driven. The name “Austin Block Shop” has become more than a store — it represents a small local business built on curiosity, trust, and creativity.
We’re still growing, still refining, but we’ve come a long way from selling out of a garage. Today, you can find us online at AustinBlockShop.com
and on BrickLink, with BrickOwl coming soon.
At the end of the day, our mission is simple: to make buying and selling LEGO a fun, easy, and trustworthy experience — and to keep the spirit of discovery alive, one brick at a time.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
What is something surprising that most people might not know about you?
Most people assume I’ve always been a “LEGO person,” but the truth is, this whole business started as a complete pivot from a 20-year career in tech and video games. I didn’t come from retail or reselling — I came from spreadsheets, meetings, and product roadmaps.
What surprises people most is how personal this journey really is. Austin Block Shop wasn’t born from a business plan; it came from burnout, from wanting more out of life, and from becoming a dad. I wanted to create something real — something I could build with my hands, teach to my son, and feel proud of at the end of the day.
Even now, every piece of LEGO that comes through our shop is handled, sorted, cleaned, and verified by us — not a warehouse, not automation. It’s still very much a small, hands-on family business. And I think that’s what makes it special — it’s rooted in rediscovering joy, curiosity, and the freedom to build something meaningful from the ground up.
Pricing:
- We buy LEGO for cash — offering fair, transparent rates based on current market values from BrickLink and recent sales data.
- Sealed sets: typically 30–40% of market value (based on the lowest U.S. listing in the same condition).
- Used / open sets: priced individually depending on completeness, condition, and demand — usually 40–50% of market value.
- Bulk LEGO (loose bricks): generally $2.00 per pound, sorted and clean.
- No-hassle local pickup available in the Austin area — we come to you and pay on the spot.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Austinblockshop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinblockshop/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Austin-Block-Shop-61557790869703/
