New STEM Studio Opens at Northtown Mall
The business offers kids' building projects to drive mall traffic.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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ZAP Lab has opened a new STEM build studio at Northtown Mall in Spokane. The facility, which is owned by five local residents, offers collaborative building projects for children between the ages of 3 and 17.
Why it matters
The studio launch highlights a shift toward experiential retail and community-focused spaces within regional shopping centers. By offering rotating, low-cost projects, the owners are testing a service-heavy model designed to drive foot traffic.
The studio is operated by five local residents and serves children aged 3 to 17. Projects range from $5 to $25, with daily operating hours set from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The players
ZAP Lab
A STEM-focused studio located at Northtown Mall in Spokane that serves children through hands-on building projects.
Northtown Mall
A regional shopping center in Spokane that hosts a variety of retail and service-based businesses.
The details
ZAP Lab operates through a model that relies on rotating project options, allowing for repeat customer visits. The studio supports both walk-ins and pre-booked online appointments to manage capacity throughout the day.
Timeline
The studio is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Market Landscape
The studio's arrival marks a practical local expansion of the broader industry movement toward experiential mall leasing. It follows the documented trend of malls pivoting from traditional retail anchors to service-based tenants.
Operators considering similar service-heavy models should factor in the foot-traffic benefits of mall locations against higher lease overheads. Closely track repeat customer metrics to determine if rotating project menus successfully sustain consistent monthly revenue.
The takeaway
The studio demonstrates how local entrepreneurs can utilize modular, activity-based service models to differentiate from traditional retail. Owners should track the conversion rate between walk-ins and appointments to optimize staffing during the 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. operating window.
Further reading
For more news on local commercial activity, visit Spokane Openings & Closings.
More information
To book a session or review available projects, visit the ZAP Lab appointment and information portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 92.9 ZZU (KZZU FM).
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