“You look happy when you find good space.”

This was a text from a friend in response to a picture of me sitting under an indoor tree at my newest "coworking" spot, Farm.One. And it got me thinking...

Being a solo-preneur can be lonely and I tend to lean on public and 3rd spaces to work on my own efforts while potentially meeting new friends and colleagues. I have a few tried-and-true spots around town where I will "cowork" depending on the environment or proximity to other appointments that day.

As I move through and inhabit these spaces, I am always paying attention to how they were created, who is in them, what the requirements or expectations are for accessing them, and how they are monitored.

Let's call it...a professional hazard!

The fact is that I hold privilege as a white, cis-presenting, middle-class, able-bodied woman. Most of these spaces are typically accessible and welcoming for me. And yet I know - and have witnessed - that this is definitely not the case for all.

So when I am looking for “good” 3rd space, I’m hoping to see any or all of the following qualities:

• A space for gathering and connecting with varied touchpoints - different types of seating, places for quiet and loud activities, etc

• A space for economic accessibility – either offering free or sliding scale/scholarship use

• A space for diverse physical abilities and neurodiversity - wheelchair/cane accessible, sensory variation in environments, etc

• A space where everyone is welcome – ie: no policing or monitoring of certain bodies or beliefs

• A space that is safe and protective of the most vulnerable of the community - is it LGBTQ+ inclusive, etc

• A space mindful that we are part of the natural world - are there plants for cleaning the air, is there a general sense of re-use or re-cycling, etc

Of course, like humans, no space is perfect. So when I come across a 3rd place that is mindful of or activating any of the items above, I get really excited.

A quick side note on 3rd spaces...

Over the last 6 months I've noticed that people are defining 3rd places/spaces as anywhere that is not home (1st place) or work (2nd place).

I've seen a lot of Instagram posts applaud these “3rd spaces” that - while they are gathering people in spaces that are not home or work - require high ticket costs to participate. This means that a large part of the population cannot access or enjoy these spaces and are missing out on fun, relaxation, connection, or skill development.

Alternatively, I believe it also means that the economically privileged participant is missing out on the diversity of ideas, perspectives, and wisdom from a population that has different lived experience than them.

In this scenario, everyone loses.

As you may have already noted, I believe economic accessibility is critical to 3rd space success. Think free-of-cost spaces like public libraries, public parks, churches/mosques/temples/etc. Programming with sliding scale or scholarship options allow financial accessibility, too.

This is what I find so beautiful about 3rd spaces. They provide encounters with people who may be very different in age, culture, abilities, status, life experiences, knowledge, and economics. Because of this shared physical space, we are gently nudged into a recognition of commonality and are able to quietly celebrate diversity that is not often found in siloed environments.

But back to "good" space and my very happy face...

Study Hall at Farm.One

Farm.One has that special mix of elements that truly create a 3rd space. I landed there because I walked by it last Saturday and saw that they had "Study Hall" hours. I got curious and found this on their website:

"[Study Hall is] a new program meant to offer an alternative to working in your local coffee shop, library, or WeWork. You don't owe us a coffee to use our WiFi, and you can whisper without judgemental glances. It's that simple."

Wow. True 3rd space magic.

Because I had never been there before, I didn't realize that there was a cafe in the front room. I had just stopped off at a neighboring cafe to get myself a chai and apologized for bringing in a competitor's drink. The response I received was "outside food is welcome here!".

Swoon.

Once I settled, I took a little tour.

• The space is split with the community/customer space towards the streetfront and a working vertical, hydroponic farm in the back.

• You can watch flowers and herbs and greenery grow as you sit and cultivate your own future efforts. A list of partnering restaurants is on the wall.

• There are various types of seating from standing bar height to cafe chairs, benches with cushions, and lounge-type clusters. The space is accessible by wheelchair and there is a dark, quieter lounge away from bright lights for any sensory needs.

• A welcoming barista offers coffees and (delicious, vegan!) bakery treats which transition to beer and cocktails later in the day. A small food case stands at the entrance for purchase of fresh, in-house grown greens and brewed beer.

• There is a stack of board games for free use just as you enter.  And they offer educational and community-centered classes and events throughout the month.

It is a sweet breath of true 3rd space air, my friends. I encourage you to check it out if you have the chance - and if you do, let me know what you think!

Thank you, Farm.One, for being a beautiful example of a much-needed “good” 3rd space. We appreciate you!

I'll see you soon...