RETAIL : Costa Mesa Mall Alternative Attracts Clothier, Music Store

The Lab, developer Shaheen Sadeghi’s retail experiment in Costa Mesa, is up and running. Sadeghi has described the retail development in an abandoned factory building as “an anti-mall.” One retailer described it as a better trap to catch aging mall rats who are bored with traditional retailing.

Urban Outfitters, the Philadelphia-based retailer that sells to younger consumers, opened more than two weeks ago. Tower Records opened its alternative music shop on Wednesday. Other merchants include Na-Na’s, the Santa Monica-based clothing and shoe company; International Beads; Modern Amusements, a children’s store; and Taxi Taxi, which sells vintage clothing and guitars.

The Lab, near Bristol and Baker streets, is aimed at consumers in their teens through early 30s. The retail center also has space reserved for artists and musicians.