Have you noticed the media flurry about the closing of 600 Starbucks locations? Only five of those closed are in Connecticut- the nearest on Kings Highway in Fairfield. Folks in Newark, New Jersey are especially upset about losing their Starbucks, as it was regarded as an important “third place.” A third place refers to the social surroundings other than home and workplace which anchor community life and provide opportunities for face-to-face social interaction.
A true third place is free or inexpensive (guess Starbucks missed that aspect), has food and drink, is highly accessible and proximate for many, involves regulars and is welcoming and comfortable. (This definition comes from Ray Oldenburg’s book The Great Good Place.) Telecommuting has added to the significance of the third place. Public wi-fi means there is a happy medium available between home and office for those whose lives center on their technology.
So…..what’s our favorite third place in Westport? Of course, it’s the Library! Social well being and psychological health depend upon community; informal gathering places create community. You might say that the Westport Library has been meeting some of those third place needs for 100 years. And since the Café was added a few years ago, you can even enjoy some Starbucks-type refreshment. See you at the Library.
