The Right Place
December 30, 2022 8:56 AM Subscribe
Surely it’s possible. A place to go that… proves life’s beauty rather than pantomiming it.
Two friends search for a hangout that they agree exists, simply because it must, in a new Subnormality by Winston Rowntree.
Two friends search for a hangout that they agree exists, simply because it must, in a new Subnormality by Winston Rowntree.
This art is terrific, and the subject is so sad. Once you're a little older, you learn that the food-service world is littered with the corpses of dreamers and investors who wanted to start that perfect third place. It follows that that third place should be either a club, like rebent says, or a public place, like a library. And libraries can't serve drinks (although the Boston Public Library has a lovely cafe) or keep out troublesome patrons.
But a good place can live a limited life in a capitalist world with certain supports. The homiest place I remember going was when I was in college on the Main Line, a little cafe where Joni Mitchell and other folk legends once played. There were board games that we'd play endlessly in the corner, sitting in the window like a twee advertisement for academic happiness. I don't remember if they had alcohol; we were an herbal-tea sort of group anyway. Now I can look back and think that the most polite way to describe us would be "loss leaders." The cafe did close some years back. I wish I could remember its name and see if someone revived it again -- certainly that had happened before.
posted by Countess Elena at 9:47 AM on December 30, 2022 [3 favorites]
But a good place can live a limited life in a capitalist world with certain supports. The homiest place I remember going was when I was in college on the Main Line, a little cafe where Joni Mitchell and other folk legends once played. There were board games that we'd play endlessly in the corner, sitting in the window like a twee advertisement for academic happiness. I don't remember if they had alcohol; we were an herbal-tea sort of group anyway. Now I can look back and think that the most polite way to describe us would be "loss leaders." The cafe did close some years back. I wish I could remember its name and see if someone revived it again -- certainly that had happened before.
posted by Countess Elena at 9:47 AM on December 30, 2022 [3 favorites]
rebent: I get this cozy feeling from dive bars on off days or hours. Many may not, but if you're moving to Portland soon anyway you might enjoy this totally unbiased list of dive bars on wikipedia
posted by shenkerism at 10:08 AM on December 30, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by shenkerism at 10:08 AM on December 30, 2022 [2 favorites]
This is why I still read Metafilter after all these years -- something beautiful that I wouldn't have found myself, something a little too offbeat to wind up in the other sources of news I read. Thank you for posting it!
posted by shirobara at 10:14 AM on December 30, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by shirobara at 10:14 AM on December 30, 2022 [4 favorites]
If you knit or crochet or are willing to learn, there are yarn shops that are wonderful third places. If you ever come by Asheville, you’re welcome to hang out in mine.
I’ve found game shops and hobby shops that foster this atmosphere as well. Generally it requires proprietors who prioritize creating community over maximizing profits, though.
posted by rikschell at 11:03 AM on December 30, 2022 [2 favorites]
I’ve found game shops and hobby shops that foster this atmosphere as well. Generally it requires proprietors who prioritize creating community over maximizing profits, though.
posted by rikschell at 11:03 AM on December 30, 2022 [2 favorites]
The specific thing that happened to make the economics of this unsustainable is the financialization of urban real estate and post-crack epidemic gentrification. The 90s coffee shop/dive bar culture of yore was sustained by the fact that it was usually better to have an unprofitable business anchoring a space than allow it to become an abandoned building. The patrons would typically be what we now regard as first wave gentrifiers. Now there is no longer a first wave in major US metros and high business rents make it necessary to turn a profit, and the only way to turn a profit in many areas is to have high prices, rapid table turnover, or alcohol sold in significant enough volumes to justify a liquor license, all decisions that lower the third-placeness of a space. Selling alcohol then leads to other decisions that lead to maximizing sales, such as playing loud music and discouraging non-profit-generating hanging out. There are a few places that manage to ride the razor's edge and escape this trap, but usually due to atypical market conditions that end up being temporary as surrounding real estate goes up in value.
posted by derrinyet at 11:36 AM on December 30, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by derrinyet at 11:36 AM on December 30, 2022 [3 favorites]
Man, this felt very Toronto to me and sure enough, the artist is based there. I wonder if any city has gentrified as hard and as fast as Toronto has in these past 2 decades.
posted by emeiji at 12:50 PM on December 30, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by emeiji at 12:50 PM on December 30, 2022 [2 favorites]
Years ago a new craft brewery opened a few blocks from where I worked. This was only the second one in the area (there are dozens now) and a big deal. It was tiny, just two guys brewing in pots on a second-hand stove. It had a small bar/tasting room, a couple of tables, and little else. The atmosphere was very much the one described in the comic. It was a place to go and talk with folks and have a few beers before heading off to dinner somewhere. Everyone knew everyone, even if it was only by face and not name.
Over the years they did well and added a limited snack menu. Expanded their brewing capacity. Then more food. It wasn't long before they expanded into the space next door. That meant more tables and a full kitchen. But it's not the same little brewery anymore. No more clustering around the bar and chatting with the person next to you. It's all small groups at tables separate from everyone else having their private conversations. You can't begrudge them their success but that 3rd place feel is gone forever.
posted by tommasz at 1:05 PM on December 30, 2022 [1 favorite]
Over the years they did well and added a limited snack menu. Expanded their brewing capacity. Then more food. It wasn't long before they expanded into the space next door. That meant more tables and a full kitchen. But it's not the same little brewery anymore. No more clustering around the bar and chatting with the person next to you. It's all small groups at tables separate from everyone else having their private conversations. You can't begrudge them their success but that 3rd place feel is gone forever.
posted by tommasz at 1:05 PM on December 30, 2022 [1 favorite]
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A couple days ago I was scrolling Google maps as one does looking for a place to get food and for some reason all the lodges and clubs were displayed. St Ladislaus Aid Society, Kosciuszko Hall, Polish Falcons Society, Elks Lodge. Made me wonder how many people you needed in a club to sustain a private, perfect, 3rd place.
I'm moving to Portland, soon. Maybe when I do, I'll look into finding a lodge or hall or association within walking distance. Thanks for posting, Etrigan
posted by rebent at 9:29 AM on December 30, 2022 [1 favorite]