We have a family dinner this day, but arrived too early for the reserved time. We looked for a nearby place where we can walk around and pass the time and so here we are at The Lab - Anti Mall in Costa Mesa, California.
The LAB Anti Mall means “Little American Business” and that is who they represent and what they support. It calls itself “Anti-Mall” as it seeks to combat the monotony of shopping malls. They try to make a difference from the shopping malls’ standard conformity. Perhaps they also want to impress upon people that shopping in their stores, would make them more culturally conscious, by helping small businesses thrive.
The LAB elicits the images of indoor-outdoor and a not so conventional hang out places of coffee shops, restaurants, retail and events like live music.
Indoor and open air seating areas, to relax and take a rest from going around the area. You can sip your coffee while gawking at the surroundings, take refreshments or even read a book.
These are some of the things that make The Lab different from the contemporary shopping malls, the use of recycled materials and displayed as artworks .
A store housed in what looks like a bus/trailer, selling curated vinyl records. It offers a lot of choices for music lovers and musicians who still appreciate the sound that vinyl produces. The Creme Tangerine is both a music label and record store.
Eco Now, the first zero waste store and refilling station in Orange County, California. It offers consumers locally sourced and eco-friendly goods.
Bring your own bottle and refill your white distilled vinegar, dish liquid, liquid detergents, hand and body lotions and other household items. As their slogan says "Refill now not fill the land."
There are coffee shops, restaurants and even doughnut shop for the vegans.
Vegan doughnuts and even a rack of apparel at the Good Town Doughnuts
Apparel Stores
According to the founders: LGBTQ, Marlene Vargas and Alex Naranjo, they created magical items that would heal one person's past and manifest their brightest future. Some of the items being offered at the store are crystals, herbs and magic candles.
Write your wish on a piece of paper, hang it here and let the universe take care of granting your wish.
Thank you for the read!
