Where’s your “3rd Place”?
On Monday, I attended an event at Cobo Hall called Michigan Emerging designed to connect Michiganders to discuss the entrepreneurial spirit and happenings across the state. During one of the panel discussions, the concept of “a 3rd place” was brought up and I was reeled in.
What is a 3rd place? A 3rd place is where you can often be found other than your home or work. Not a new concept by any means, Wikipedia even has it’s own definition. For some (including me during particularly depressing winter months), it could be your local watering hole. For others, it could be the gym or dance studio. I would even think the mall could be considered a typical 3rd place, in which case I want to meet you and tour/borrow your closet.
Most people have this 3rd place, their safe, warm environment which they enjoy being at. My question is…how can we bring our 3rd places together no matter our industries/interests? By creating a comfortable environment, almost like an extension of the house that everyone hangs out at, we would be able to hang, work, socialize, basically coexist during the times you just don’t want to go home or need to get out of your office.
I like coffeeshops, but they can sometimes be a little too trendy with the overpriced coffeebeans and segregated seating areas of judgement. One person at a table of 4, one person on the couch, and don’t even think about sitting next to them without getting the death look meaning, “There is clearly no more space for you here, try the coffeehouse down the street.”
I’m loving the concept of co-working spaces, but let’s go beyond that. What if you’re not working on anything and just want to hang out? What if you’re pinning through Pinterest and want others’ input from around you? Is there a place to go that allows you to work in comfortable space where socializing and getting work done can coexist?
At Michigan Emerging, I met with Aaron Schaap and his project, The Factory, in Western Michigan that is trying to do just this. Schaap describes The Factory as being “like Cheers, for work: a place where everyone knows your name.”
Why haven’t there been more of these around in Metro Detroit? Would you go to a place like this?
Where’s your 3rd place?
Image credit: slideaway.ca
Hey Kellee – it was nice to briefly meet you on Monday and love that you’re excited about 3rd places. I hope you and your team are able to find some time to come hang out in Grand Rapids and check the Factory out. Next time I’m in the Detroit area, I’ll have to stop by your offices and say hello.
Sorry for the delay. You absolutely have to come by! And I need to make it up to GR sometime. Does the Factory ever plan group outings (ski trips, concerts, baseball games, etc)? I trying to think of more reasons to get out on the west side of the state.