Why is LEGO Cafe Corner so expensive?

It was the first LEGO Modular Building, produced for only one year (2007-2008), and every collector building a modular city needs it.

LEGO Cafe Corner 10182

Name: LEGO Cafe Corner 10182
Brand: LEGO

Toys & Figures

In 2007, LEGO released a $140 set that nobody expected to become an investment. Set 10182, "Cafe Corner," was a three-story European-style corner building designed for adult fans. It was the first LEGO Modular Building - a series that would eventually span 20+ sets. LEGO retired it after just one year. Today, a sealed Cafe Corner sells for over $3,000 - a return of more than 2,000% in under two decades.

Quick Value Summary


Item	LEGO Cafe Corner (Set 10182)
Year	2007 (retired 2008)
Category	Toys & Figures - LEGO
Manufacturer	LEGO
Pieces	2,056
Original Retail	$139.99
Condition Range
Used, Complete (no box)	$800 – $1,200
Used, Complete with Box/Instructions	$1,500 – $2,500
New / Sealed	$3,000 – $4,000+
Current Estimated Value	~$3,130 (BrickEconomy)
Rarity	Uncommon (limited 2007-2008 production)

The Story

LEGO designer Jamie Berard had an idea: what if LEGO made buildings that connected to each other on a standardized baseplate? Adult fans could build an entire city street, one set at a time. The concept became the Modular Buildings series, and Cafe Corner was its proof of concept.

The set depicted a charming European corner cafe on the ground floor with a hotel on the upper stories. At 2,056 pieces, it was complex enough to satisfy adult builders while being accessible enough to attract newcomers to the hobby. Three minifigures populated the building. Interior details included furniture, a reception desk, and accessories.

LEGO priced it at $139.99 - expensive for 2007, but reasonable for the piece count. It sold well enough to justify a second modular (Green Grocer, 2008) and a third (Fire Brigade, 2009). The series never stopped. But Cafe Corner was retired after about a year of production, and supply dried up fast.

Adult LEGO fans - AFOLs, as they call themselves - drove the aftermarket. Everyone building a modular city needed Cafe Corner as the foundation. Demand outstripped supply every year, and prices climbed steadily from $200 to $500 to $1,000 to where they are today.

How to Identify It

Key Details

Set number: 10182 (printed on box)
Piece count: 2,056
Minifigures: 3 (café patron, hotel guest, worker)
Building: Three stories with detailed facade, corner design
Box: Large, landscape-oriented box with LEGO Creator Expert branding

Complete vs. Incomplete

A "complete" used set should have all 2,056 pieces. Missing pieces - even a few - reduce value. Use BrickLink's inventory for set 10182 to verify completeness.

Sealed Verification

For sealed sets, check:

Original LEGO tape seals on box flaps
Box condition - dents, shelf wear, and sun fading affect sealed set values significantly
Weight - a sealed set should match the expected weight for 2,056 pieces

Value by Condition

Condition	Description	Value
Used, Incomplete	Missing pieces, no box	$500 – $800
Used, Complete	All pieces, no box	$800 – $1,200
Used, Complete + Box	Box and instructions included	$1,500 – $2,500
New, Sealed	Factory sealed, good box	$3,000 – $4,000+

The box matters. A complete Cafe Corner with a crisp, undamaged box is worth $1,000+ more than the same set without one. For sealed sets, box condition is the primary value driver after completeness.

Return on investment: At $139.99 retail and $3,130 current value, Cafe Corner has returned about 2,200% - roughly 19% annually. That beats most stock market investments over the same period.

Authentication & Fakes

Cafe Corner counterfeits are uncommon but exist in the LEGO aftermarket:

Verify LEGO branding on pieces. Every genuine piece has the LEGO logo on studs
Check box for correct printing quality and LEGO branding
Sealed box seals should match LEGO's standard tape pattern
BrickLink is the most trusted marketplace for verified LEGO sets
Lepin and other clone brands have reproduced popular modular sets. Clone pieces feel slightly different and lack LEGO branding

Where to Sell

BrickLink - The largest LEGO-specific marketplace. The most active market for retired sets
eBay - Wide audience, good for sealed sets with detailed photos
LEGO conventions and meetups - Direct access to AFOL buyers
Facebook LEGO trading groups - Active secondary market

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Common Questions

How much is LEGO Cafe Corner worth?

Used and complete: $800 to $1,200. With original box and instructions: $1,500 to $2,500. New/sealed: $3,000 to $4,000+. Current estimated value is approximately $3,130 per BrickEconomy.

Why is it so expensive?

Three factors: it was the first LEGO Modular Building, it was only produced for about one year (2007-2008), and every AFOL building a modular city needs it. Demand has grown steadily while supply can never increase.

Is my used Cafe Corner worth selling?

Yes. Even a used, complete set without the box is worth $800 to $1,200. If you have the box and instructions, add another $500+. Check completeness against BrickLink's parts inventory for set 10182.

Are other LEGO Modular Buildings valuable?

Yes. Most retired modulars appreciate significantly. Green Grocer (10185, 2008) is worth $2,000+. Fire Brigade (10197, 2009) runs $600+. But Cafe Corner, as the first, commands the highest premium.