How Costco became a 'third place'
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but it is most definitely an aesthetic take
No one I know goes to McDonald's for the food, coffee, or atmosphere.
We have a friend who goes to McDonald's every day for a gathering with a bunch of buddies. Every day at 10 and they're there till noon. During COVID they would sit outside on the benches.
In the olden days, it would have been a group of women and it would have been called a "coffee klatch".
It's all about the people.
sorry, I have to disagree.
I used to go to McDonald’s for the coffee. Two reasons. 1- I have no taste in coffee. 2- they used to have a senior discount at a dollar a cup.
I would never do anything foolish like speak to any human beings there, but I would grab my one dollar coffee and go for a nice walk…
edit- and no, there’s no real point in me posting this other than to be annoying…
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Since I participated in the thread drift and I'm sorry about that, I have now read the article.
I think the article's point that people are starving for a place to be together is completely valid. The stories of people who have found community and love are touching, and I totally support people finding ways to connect. Some people find that at Costco. Some people find it at the stalwart malls that are still limping along. (We have one of those about five minutes from the house, which is even a teeny bit closer than Costco.) Whatever works!
My father and his friends used to get breakfast at a local burger chain, and I've known other people that had the same setup at McDonald's. I find fast food places marginally more welcoming than Costco's food court, although it occurs to me that they may vary by location. Our Costco's food court is very crowded and loud. Places like McDonald's are a little better laid out for dinner table conversation.
Coffee shops are nice. I can walk to several from the house, and I frequently meet friends there. It would be nice to be able to go there as a regular and chat with people as they come in, but I don't sense that happens often.
There's also an independent bookstore a short walk from here, and I've attended events and led the mystery book group there. I had coffee later with one of the book group members but, again, it was arranged and not that "third place" kind of thing where you hang out and talk to the people who show up. I wonder if many people have access to that kind of place these days. The article makes me think they probably don't.
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