Orange County’s original “anti-mall” is The LAB, an open-air shopping and dining center that remains mostly focused on small local businesses despite its proximity to traditional mega-mall South Coast Plaza. Opened in the early 1990s, The LAB currently hosts donut shop Goodtown Doughnuts, local Cuban mainstay Habana, Japanese-Italian pizza counter Kuro, coffee shop Nook, ice cream parlor Stella Jean’s, and omakase sushi restaurant Hana Re in addition to vinyl record and CD shop Creme Tangerine, secondhand store Buffalo Exchange, and multiple vintage clothing, crystal/candle, and beauty stores. A large space previously occupied by (chain) anchor tenant Urban Outfitters is becoming a collection of smaller eyewear and apparel businesses as of early 2026.
Parking at The LAB is free, but attached lots are frequently overcrowded, particularly during lunch and dinner hours. Some visitors may find it easier to park at sister anti-mall The CAMP across the street and walk over – a nice opportunity to explore both locations’ winding walking paths, as well as colorful, Instagram-friendly art installations based on reclaimed CDs and metal barrels.
