What are Third Places and Why Do We Need Them?
Have you ever spent the day coexisting with other folks at a café? Do you and your little ones enjoy weekend playdates in the park? Are you constantly looking forward to hitting the gym with your lifting buddies after you leave the office? Well then, you’ve taken advantage of your community's third places.
If you haven’t heard that term before, there’s no judgment. Even if you don’t have the proper verbiage, third places have likely made a huge impact on your life. Today, let’s dive deeper into what exactly a third place is, what makes these spots so important, and how to utilize them in your town.
What is a Third Place?
Third places are simply defined as public places that exist outside of the two normal social settings: your home and your work. These community spaces are typically a familiar spot where you can meet with others over shared interests or specific activities.
Let it be noted that this doesn’t include every grocery store and subway line. To qualify as a third place, it has to provide room for relaxation and recreation. If you’re able to unplug and find connection outside of your typical 9-5, then it counts!
What Are Some Common Examples of Third Places?
If you’ve ever considered somewhere your “home away from home,” then it’s likely a third place! Keep an eye out for these kinds of community spaces in your area:
- Cafes
- Libraries
- Gyms
- Parks
- Churches
- Playgrounds
- Theaters
- Bars
- Bookstores
Who Invented the Third Place Concept?
The idea of a third place, sometimes called a community space, was invented by American sociologist Ray Oldenburg. Though the concept had been discussed in various forms over the years, the term wasn’t properly coined until the release of his book The Great Good Place in 1989.
In this novel, he made a case for the importance of these informal public gathering places, believing them to be central to community vitality, social equity, and human happiness. He even claimed that such spaces can be traced back hundreds of years to pool halls, taverns, saloons, and more.
Why Are Community Spaces So Important to Our Well-being?
In a world where we’re often buried in our phones and laptops all day, finding moments throughout the week to actually foster in-person human connection has become crucial to our health. Whether or not you believe that we’re in a “loneliness epidemic” is beside the point. Third places act as physical hubs for face-to-face connection between friends, family, acquaintances, and even strangers. How do you expect to build community without them?
Community spaces also act as a sort of buffer between your peace of mind and any work or home-life obligations you may have. Being able to visit a space away from your family’s needs and your boss’s prying eyes gives you a chance to mentally reset. This can be as simple as taking your lunch break at your favorite coffee shop or meeting with your friends at a bookstore each week to discuss the latest Reese’s Book Club pick.
If you’re a creative person, you’ll know how hard it is to turn off your busy brain and invest time into a new project. Being in a different environment is often the secret to boosting creativity and encouraging new ways of thinking. The next time you need a bit of inspiration, head to your library or park and say goodbye to writer’s block!
Why Are Community Spaces Vanishing in America?
You know them, you love them, but have you noticed that many of our community spaces seem to be disappearing? These days, there are fewer and fewer places where you can bump into acquaintances, chat with strangers, or plan with friends. This decrease can be chalked up to a few different factors.
Before the age of social media, we were forced to leave our homes and workplaces to hang out with our loved ones. But now, after COVID-19, between texting, DM-ing, Snapchating, and TikTok making, many of our more casual relationships have been moved online. The more time people spend online, the less likely they are to make room in their busy schedules for third-space hangouts. Sure, in the moment, the dopamine from receiving a message feels nice, but it doesn’t hold a candle to a real, in-person human connection.
A Closer Look at What Makes a Community Space Thrive
If you’ve ever been a regular at a bar or become friendly with the patrons of a theater, then you know just how good experiencing a sense of belonging feels. When we stay holed up in our homes and offices, we don’t get to experience that. So how is that third place magic kept alive? Let’s break it down together:
Third Places Are Designed for Socializing
Above all else, these spaces are meant to act as a social hub. The often informal atmosphere and comforting vibes provide people with a common area to gather, share ideas, foster old relationships, and create new ones. Though you might find people working their remote jobs or running household errands in these community spaces, the majority of people are there to simply exist in the company of others.
These spaces can be incredibly beneficial if you’re looking to make new connections! Whether you’ve just moved to town and are searching for a new friend, dreaming of a romantic meet-cute, or wanting to network in your creative field, community spaces increase your odds of having a chance encounter.
Third Places Lead to a Stronger Community
Would you believe that having access to a variety of these spaces helps people identify more strongly with their town and fellow citizens? Think of a community space as a real-life version of a notice board—you go to them to learn the latest on the happenings of your neighborhood. When you exchange information and news with your barista, cashier, or fellow shoppers, you’re strengthening everyone’s sense of community.
Third Places Welcome Anyone and Everyone
Community spaces are made to act as a neutral space where people of all ages, races, and social classes can coexist without any judgment. In these spots, your background and history shouldn’t matter. The goal for Rochester bookstores, parks, and cafes is for everyone to feel welcome and equal.
It should be noted that many of these spaces, like parks and libraries, are free to access, breaking down any monetary barriers so that you can enjoy them regardless of income. If they do require purchase, like some cafes and bars, the fees are hopefully minimal.
Do These Spaces Give Back to Their Community?
If you’re looking for a bit of mutual aid, try turning to your nearest community spaces. Some spots provide free meals, childcare, and various other forms of support. After all, we’re only as rich as our poorest citizen! If you’re in a position to help out, make sure to ask about potential volunteer opportunities.
3 Ways You Can Support a Community Space
Here are three of our favorite ways to show up and support these spaces:
- Become a regular: the more you frequent a community space, the more the employees or other attendees will recognize you. Whether spending a few dollars on a drink or checking out a book at the library, your continued patronage makes a world of difference.
- Host your own book club: meeting with your friends to gab over a true crime book or Brandon Sanderson’s latest release gives you a chance to leave work and home worries at the door and simply enjoy one another’s company.
- Attend the community events: plenty of these public spaces prioritize community and offer a calendar of events aimed at different age groups, interests, and niches. Bring a friend or attend alone to mingle with strangers!
Who knew these small businesses and public hubs we all know and love could make such an impact on our society? The next time you’re searching for a little community TLC, head to your favorite third place and socialize to your heart's content. If you’re in downtown Rochester, MI, make sure to stop by Novel, browse our endless selection of book genres, and get to chatting!