Costa Mesa, CA – The LAB Anti-Mall marks 25 years of “anti-mallism” including special celebratory music performances, communal dining experiences and rotating art installations in abundance starting this summer through year-end.

Established in 1993 by Shaheen and Linda Sadeghi, The LAB retail experiment established a bohemian, “hang out” shopping experience anchored by youthful, like-minded, complimentary and curated entrepreneurs – in protest to the homogenized retailing of the time. Although breaking away from careers in the apparel industry into a new realm of commercial real estate, the Sadeghi's have garnered national and international attention by abstaining from the look and feel of conventional retail.

Repurposing a night vision goggle factory on Bristol Street in Costa Mesa, the Sadeghi's added innovative details including DG pathways, recycled broken concrete walls, community art projects, indigenous landscaping, tilted parking lot light poles and permanent scaffolding façade. “Most important,” adds Linda, “was space allowed for a central “Living Room” area for visitors to hang, eat and simply enjoy the California outdoors.” “We wanted every corner embellished by local artists, live music playing, poetry readings; totally interactive and welcoming,” states Shaheen. “We believed if we provided a creative, colorful environment that commerce would eventually come. We realized corporate American had lost its heart, so The LAB was designed to promote connection and love.”

An art colony of sorts, The LAB has served the community as a village for creatives; musicians, fashionistas and makers and continues to remain at the forefront in design, unique programming and services. The LAB is an acronym standing for Little American Business and is proud to have supported and nurtured local small business people of all talents, products and mediums over the years.

Those interested in attending anniversary events are invited to visit www.thelab.com and follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheLABAntimall, Instagram @thelabantimall, or email info@thelab.com.

Contact:
Julie Shumaker Julie@thelab.com

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The LAB is an original, indoor-outdoor unconventional hang-out packed with a wide array of cafes, restaurants and retail that embraces a vibrant community of lovers in art, music, fashion and hip cuisine. The LAB is located at 2930 Bristol in Costa Mesa, California.