Design Lab by DDG

This place gets my five stars for the sheer curiosity and inspiration it gives my brain. I have no idea what the place is supposed to be… bookstore, furniture, candy, stationary, eclectic knick knacks, jewelry, what, I love it!

Design Lab is the sort of store creatives love, full of interesting items and displays. A great place to purchase a gift or card for someone. You’ll find plenty of luxury toiletries, letterpress cards, gift wrap, party supplies, Kate Spade paper goods, seasonal items (it was the week after xmas when I went and there was quite a selection, all 50% off), children’s toys, collectables and a section off to the side where you can see some high-​end home goods. The day I was there, there were several lamps on display and a limited selection of home decorative items and furniture. Whatever you buy will be a bit of a splurge, but it’s a spot to find plenty of can’t-find-anywhere-else in Phoenix types of items.
There wasn’t a lot to do in the vicinity, but it was down the street from the Nile Theatre which brought back plenty of memories of the shows I saw there as a teenager.

Cute store located in downtown Mesa.
I’ve been here three times and the same girl who works there (the manager) gives off the most unwelcoming vibe, never says «hello», never makes eye contact, and doesn’t seem to like customers. Not a people person.
There was another lady working there who was very nice, it’s almost like she was embarrassed by the poor attitude of the manager.
The store has beautiful displays and nice merchandise, but I am so put off by the unwelcome vibe, I will spend my money someplace else. The manager won’t allow you to take photos of the store either, because I’m sure it’s so top secret and that they invented visual display. :(
I brought my friend and I won’t bring anymore friends, nor will I ever visit here again.