Third Places Could Be the Key to Thriving Rural Communities

 

What if one of the keys to a thriving rural community is not found at home or at work—but in the places in between?

Coffee shops. Libraries. Parks. Local stores. Community centers. Farmers markets. Restaurants. Public squares.

These are often called “Third Places”—the informal gathering spaces outside our homes (our first place) and workplaces (our second place) where people encounter one another, have conversations, build relationships, and develop a sense of belonging.

For rural communities especially, these places can be much more than amenities. They can become essential pieces of a community's social infrastructure.

That idea was the focus of a Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Exchange Quarterly Webinar on Friday, August 28, 2026 that can now be viewed on YouTube.

One of the featured guests was Stephanie Campbell-Yount, owner of Haven in Maryville, Missouri. She shared how Haven came to life and how a business can become something more than a place where transactions occur. It was a preview her presentation for this year's Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference in Maryville: “From Storefront to Destination: Designing Third Places that Revitalize Rural Communities.”

The distinction between a storefront and a destination is important.

A successful Third Place gives people a reason to linger. It creates opportunities for people to see familiar faces, meet someone new, have conversations and feel that they are part of something larger than themselves.

And when that happens repeatedly, relationships begin to form.

Third Places Help Create Belonging

The webinar will featured Elena Stephenson, an MU Extension Community Development Specialist whose work focuses on community arts and creative placemaking.

Stephenson shared examples of Third Places and explored how thoughtfully designed community spaces can strengthen connections among residents. She  also discussed belonging, a key pillar of the Civic Muscle Index.

Belonging doesn't happen simply because people live in the same town.

It grows when people have opportunities to encounter one another, develop relationships and participate in community life. Third Places create the setting where many of those seemingly small interactions can happen.

A conversation at a coffee shop. Seeing the same person each Saturday at the farmers market. Sitting beside another parent at a community event. Meeting someone while browsing a local store.

Individually, those moments may seem insignificant. Collectively, they help create the social fabric of a community.

Rural Communities Need Places to Connect

This conversation is especially important for rural communities.

Economic development discussions often focus on jobs, infrastructure, housing and business recruitment—and those things certainly matter. But thriving communities also need places where relationships can grow.

People want communities where they feel known, welcomed and connected.

That's why investing in Third Places isn't merely about creating attractive spaces. It is about creating opportunities for human connection.

If we want rural communities to thrive, perhaps we need to pay more attention to the places where people simply have the opportunity to be together.

Because sometimes building community begins by creating a place where community can happen.

If you still want to learn more, MU Extension does have a great guidesheet about creating third places that is available online.

WRITTEN BY

David L. Burton

For more information, visit the Engaged Neighbor website. Take our pledge and become part of a movement! Or subscribe to our newsletter. Access some of the research documents written by David Burton, the author of this blog. Or better yet, purchase one of his books off Amazon. Contact David L. Burton via email at dburton541@yahoo.