Third Places are those places where people meet, work, relax, study and socialize that are not home (First Places) and not work (Second Places). Think Starbucks, country clubs, some taverns and cafes, libraries, or even Barnes & Nobel. While Third Places used to be the norm in American life (Elk’s Clubs, VFWs, community centers), when suburban living became the context for the American Dream, Third Places started to disappear. With work, home and the commute in-between, there was less time, and maybe less desire, for these gathering areas.
However, now that people are starting to reappreciate urban living, and as more and more people telecommute, work as freelancers or are becoming professional nomads, Third Places are making a comeback.
As a professional who works from home, I (and many colleagues) have come to rely on Third Places. Not only to get work done on the road, but as a place to get out of the home office and out among other living beings. Most of the time I can get more work done in a noisy coffee shop than in a silent office in the corner of my house sitting in a comfortable chair.
I’ve come to rely on coffee shops, for the most part, for a break from my home office. While there are several that are either walking distance or a short drive from my house, only a few make my cut as a viable Third Place option for getting work done. So what makes a great Third Place? Here is my list:
- FREE internet access. This is where Starbucks has lost me. I will sit and drink overpriced coffee all day long, but I’m not diggin’ spending $6/hour for internet access. In my book you can’t be a true “Third Place” without free wireless access.
- Familiar Faces. I like it when employees recognize me and I like to see my neighbors and friends occasionally walk through the door. And if I’m someplace out of town, treat me like I’m a regular – I’ll make sure to come back the next time I’m passing through.
- Warm atmosphere. I like decoration that is warm and inviting. More cozy cafe, less diner. I also prefer some soft surfaces to soak in the sounds of a busy coffee shop.
- Comfortable Seating. This one, along with number three, are the reasons I don’t visit my local Dunn Bros anymore. The place is an echo chamber and the seating is mostly hard, wooden, upright benches. It’s impossible to sit in place for more than 10-15 minutes. This place is just screaming, “Please don’t hang out here too long!”
- Other People. One local coffee shop that I dig has almost all other elements except it’s usually dead in the middle of the work day. I don’t want a standing-room-only kind of place, but there has to be other people there in order to qualify as a Third Place… Otherwise it’s just an empty room.
- It should be Clean. Send someone around to clean the tables every once and a while. Enough said.
- Good Selection of Food and Beverage. I really haven’t said anything about the quality of the coffee, food, etc. This really is the least important in most cases. But, there should be ample selection. I’ve been known to show up at 9am for coffee, have a sandwich at noon, and grab a bottled water before I leave at 2pm. So having some options is a plus.
- And Finally, They Must Welcome People Who Sit for a Long Time without Spending a lot of Money. No one likes to feel unwelcome. If you want to have a kind of place where people gather and socialize, study, work, etc., then don’t make me feel rushed or give me nasty looks when you see that I’ve been nursing a small latte for two and a half hours.
What did I miss? What makes a great Third Place for others?
I can’t improve on your list, sir. But I will offer this:
When non-wireless mobile internet (cellular mobile?) becomes more widespread, will everywhere become a Third Place?
I don’t necessarily think that’s bad. But it will be interesting to see how places that don’t think of themselves as Third Places cope with the untethered hoards.
Good thought, Dennis. My front yard seems to be a Third Place for most of the summer, as you well know…
Here in Denver, I have a wonderful Third Place called St. Mark’s Coffee House. This is one of my most productive places to work. The funny thing is that St. Mark’s is noisy, busy, and usually full of an eclectic mix ranging from bohemians to law students and everything in between. They have FREE wi-fi.
I spend as much time people watching as I do working. Sometimes I just daydream a bit, but when I pack up to go home I always accomplished much more than I originally set out to do.
Third Places have a lot to offer. Thanks for blogging about them and making me take the time to think about why they are important.
Thank you so much for this post, Aaron, as well as the comment on my blog. You have a great list going. I think I would emphasize two points: I like to have someone with design sense decorate the place so that there are things to look at that might spark a creative idea once in awhile. I absolutely can not handle the “Let’s use mother’s china” kind of place, but that’s my personal opinion. Secondly, I think the atmosphere that is created by the staff is crucial. Their interactions with both the public and each other have to be centered around building community. One shop in our are has a staff who love to complain about their boss the moment he walks out the door.
Like yur commenter Dennis said, I am also wondering about the social changes brought about by the commoditization of wifi. Think about the possibiities! Spaces that are designed well and have a welcoming personality will rise to the top.
Thanks again, for finding me. I’m enjoying your blog.
I work online all day, I’ve tried to work in a Starbuck’s coffee but it’s simply impossible I just don’t feel comfortable. I think places for online workers are seriously missing in this world and I’d be the first to go to such a place, because working alone at home just isn’t fun anymore…
Hey Aaron! Thanks for the new word in my vocabulary. Here in Glenwood Springs,Colorado the city put free WiFi in all of our city parks 2-3 years ago. The little pocket park downtown is particularly popular and fits a lot of your requirements with all kinds of refreshment places close by. Comfortable seating is the weak spot – not too great at the picnic table or on the brick wall, but you can always lounge on the grass. Outdoor 3rd places rock! Mary
It’s a luxury but I really appreciate a clean, attractive and private bathroom. Stall doors that shut from floor to ceiling are a jackpot.