Coffee Shops as Third Places

Authors

• Abby Mineweaser, St. John Fisher University
• Taylor Maxam, St. John Fisher University

Document Type

Poster Presentation

Publication Date

4-17-2026

Keywords

fsc2026

Abstract

This project examines our experience using Barnes & Noble as a “third place” while exploring the concept through Ray Oldenburg’s The Great Good Place. We observed how the store functions as a neutral, accessible space where people gather, linger, and share a quiet sense of community, aligning with Oldenburg’s definition of third places.

In comparison with coffee shops, which often encourage more direct social interaction, Barnes & Noble offers a more subdued environment centered on individual activity within a shared space. This highlights how modern third places can vary in form, adapting to contemporary preferences for both social connection and solitude.

Comments

Poster presented at the 2026 Fisher Showcase, St. John Fisher University, April 17, 2026.

Publication Information

Mineweaser, Abby and Maxam, Taylor, "Coffee Shops as Third Places" (2026). Fisher Showcase 2026. Paper 135.
https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/fsc2026/135

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