AMSTERDAM — From miniscule stacks of coffee cup lids to the distinctly maroon peaked roof, a Lego replica of a Stewart’s shop is catching Capital Region residents’ attention.
Jeffrey Kozlowski, 54, of Amsterdam, spent about a month crafting the approximately-½,500 scale replica from around 800 bricks as part of a larger project.
“The Stewart’s idea came about because I needed a gas station,” he said. “I’m surprised it captured the public interest.”
Miniature versions of Stewart’s Shops’ maroon and white logo, ice cream menu, and gas prices were printed onto vinyl stickers and stuck to the bricks, Kozlowski explained. Ice cream, pizza and coffee carafes are also on display. The hardest part, he said, was the pitched roof.
Photos of the final project on Facebook have received well over a thousand shares and likes. Kozlowski said a former longtime Stewart’s Shops employee even offered to purchase the model.
Kozlowski hadn’t touched a Lego for about 40 years, when around two years ago an acquaintance encouraged him to try it again as a hobby.
His first project was a Saturn V rocket built from a set at a studio in his home. He eventually moved on to “MOCs” — “my own creations” — constructing an airport and surrounding it with other buildings including a Holiday Inn Express, city hall and ice cream shop. His next project is a movie theater modeled after Amsterdam’s historic Mohawk and Rialto theaters.
Kozlowski, who operates a hair salon out of his home, said he frequents the Hagaman Stewart’s shop and enjoys the year-round eggnog, but wouldn’t consider himself at the level of buying their merchandise or visiting all 358 locations.
“I’m definitely a recurring customer,” he said. “But I really did pick it because it’s a local landmark.”
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