One of the indicators we use to predict a community's coolness is the presence of Third Spaces. What is a third space? It's a place that's neither work nor home; it's an in-between-space. It may be a coffee house or a bistro. Third spaces are generally busy and locally owned...with funky restrooms.

Fido in Nashville. Alterra in Milwaukee. Chat Noir in Des Moines. Places where ideas and caffeine collide. Birthplace of the start-up. Ground zero for the mind-blowing creative alliance. A place where pink hair and gray hair are equally welcome.

Third spaces are important to young talent and critical to communities. In the safety of third spaces, X'ers plot their next career move, dish about what's cool in their community, or bad about their boss. Four out of five new businesses are started by Gen X'ers. Third Spaces are their birthing centers.

If taverns were the meeting places of Thomas Jefferson and front porches the meeting places of the Cleavers, Third Spaces are the IT places for talent in this economy.

Take a look around your community. Where are your third spaces? When was the last time you visited one, or held a candidate interview in one?

PS Franchise restaurants generally don't qualify as third spaces, because they lack authenticity inherent to Third Spaces. Unless you're Starbucks. Then, you're grandfathered in.

 

 

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