Owner Kirk Psenner describes his store, Kwirkworld, as an "urban gift store that has a little bit of an edge to it." - - JOHN WALKER / THE FRESNO BEE

Area malls are attracting a variety of businesses -- from a MAC cosmetics store to independently owned novelty shop Kwirkworld -- to fill spaces left empty in the worst business downturn in decades.

It's a sign that retailers still believe customers have money to spend, particularly because there are few nearby cities with large retailers to compete, said Jeff Green, a retail consultant in Mill Valley.