←back to thread

Third places and neighborhood entrepreneurship (2024)

(www.nber.org)
118 points WasimBhai | 2 comments | 25 Jun 25 12:10 UTC | HN request time: 0.577s | source
Show context
mystraline ◴[25 Jun 25 20:14 UTC] No.44381414[source]▶
At least in the US, SBUX was the primary 3rd place until they decided to remove themselves in lieu of drivethru and mobile orders... And removing chairs and tables.

To be fair, a proper 3rd place really can't be a company proper, since there's always the pressure of 'buy or leave'.

Even malls aren't sufficient, since many of them are incredibly hostile to under-18. I instead look at public libraries as the gold standard here.

It makes much more sense for cities to run the actual 3rd place, and businesses rent around the 3rd place. That way, coffee shops, restaurants, and the like can comingle as can the people.

Outside the USA, we see more of that in various areas. But folks here would likely howl socialism with a 3rd place run by the city. One can wish for better community, but alas.

replies(2): >>44381583 #>>44381672 #
1. chasd00 ◴[25 Jun 25 20:48 UTC] No.44381672[source]▶
> But folks here would likely howl socialism with a 3rd place run by the city.

I think you're talking about a public library, there's typically plenty of rooms and tables to sit down at and talk with others.

replies(1): >>44381876 #
2. mystraline ◴[25 Jun 25 21:11 UTC] No.44381876[source]▶
I explicitly call out public libraries.

But I didn't get into that discussion, but even that system was borne out of Carnegie, an earlier hypercapitalist. That's probably the only reason why libraries are publicly accepted. And in reality, many Republican jurisdictions, they aren't accepted and are being actively defunded.

Well, what I was getting to was more of a European piazza style open area with businesses surrounding it so that people can attend somewhere ever to whatever.