By Tim Feran, The Columbus Dispatch

Easton Town Center will get another first-in-Ohio store when Legoland Discovery Center opens at the lifestyle center in fall 2018.

The 36,000-square-foot, $10 million educational play center will be the 11th such store in North America and the 22nd in the world.

Legoland Discovery Center Columbus will be in the Station Building adjacent to the recently renovated 30-screen AMC Theatre.

The current Lego retail store at Easton, adjacent to Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, will remain.

Being chosen as the location for the play center is “an incredible coup,” said Jennifer Peterson, Easton’s chief executive.

“Legoland Discovery Center is a regional destination that draws Lego enthusiasts of all ages. It will attract people from around the state and outside the state. For families coming to Easton for other family-oriented attractions already here, it makes Easton that much stronger.”

Specifically designed for families with children ages 3 to 10, the location will offer a range of Lego play areas, two interactive rides, master classes from the Lego Master Model Builder, special party rooms for birthdays and other celebrations, a 4-D cinema and a Miniland area found in every Legoland Discovery Center.

Visitors buy tickets to the attraction.

Miniland is built to reflect the iconic buildings of each store’s location. The local community will have a chance to nominate Ohio-area landmarks in a contest to be announced later.

The family play center is “a museum-like attraction rather than a retail concern,” said Matt Wilson, president and chief operating officer at Eastport Holdings, which owns several local ad agencies.

“It’s a huge draw for parents with kids, who, of course, will buy stuff,” Wilson said. “If they do it right, they’ll have displays based on movie launches and seasonal activities. Can you imagine the Halloween display?”

The family play centers have been “a huge success across the globe, particularly as an opportunity for adults and children to spend fun, quality time together,” said John Jakobsen of Merlin Entertainments, which owns and operates Legoland Discovery Centers, in a statement.

The company chose Easton because “it is the ideal location for the attraction, as the mall is already a favored destination for Ohio families and tourists from the region,” Jakobsen said.