Third spaces in America are considered to be an important staple of human socialization; they offer a place to go after work to unwind or simply dine with friends. Yet, these places are no longer attracting people. The coffee shops aren’t nearly as filled as they used to be, the malls are getting empty again, and people are spending time together at home or online instead. The question being asked about this is: what is happening to us and to third spaces?
What are third spaces?
Third spaces are places outside of home and work, such as a coffee shop or a library. It’s somewhere you can hang out with friends, meet new people, and even talk to acquaintances. The clubs, the library, coffee shops, the malls, and even places of worship are considered to be third spaces here in America. It’s believed that these spaces are vital in maintaining our societal well-being. An ethics professor at Viterbo University in Wisconsin named Rick Kyte said, “They’re where we go and socialize. It’s the place we make connections and where we build friendships.” (Tong, Danielian, 2025).
Where have they gone?
The reason for this depends on who you ask. The BBC wrote in their article that “During the pandemic, we’ve lost our ‘third places’: spaces that are neither home nor work, but locations somewhere in between. These are our hangouts: spots where we would bump into acquaintances; interact with strangers (or, admittedly, eavesdrop on them), and chat with friends, percolating ideas and plans. These spots are incidental to daily life – but more significant than you might imagine.” (BBC, 2021). The pandemic blurred the lines between home, school, and work, but it isn’t the only reason. Expenses are way up, rent, food, and even the bare necessities cost so much money today. Things like a sweet treat, a nice little coffee, or just having dinner with friends at a restaurant cost more money than people can spend. It doesn’t help that you can’t hang out in places anymore; you can’t sit in a Starbucks without buying something when you used to be able to sit down and hang with friends.
Are they really that important?
Socialization is an important part of mental health; humans are, by nature, pack animals that depend on being social. When we are socially isolated, there may be an increase in depression symptoms. Isolation can cause us to process emotions differently and even cause a decline in cognitive function. (Cherry,2025). Socialization allows us to have members in our community that we can go to when things get rough or just to have a cup of tea with. It’s been believed that being social and having strong connections can lead to a longer life because social isolation is found to be linked with heart disease, stroke, depression, and even dementia. (Cambieri, 2025). Having a third space provides a place for human connection and time with friends and family; without it, it may be harder to get that connection with them.
That being said, what can you do?
There are still third spaces; it’s just a matter of finding them. Local community places like parks and libraries are great places to hang out with friends and are often free. Coffee shops and little eateries are still great places to hang out and many local/small businesses are much cheaper and fun to try out with friends! It is just a matter of finding the time, the location, and the people to help keep these third spaces around; that’s something many people could do.
