The definition of a community center
Before the rise of sprawl community centers weren’t needed because the street served that function – neighbors seeing each other as the walked from home to work to store. As we began to drive more and more the idea of a community center to create some false connection between neighbors began to sprout. Most fail as they are artificial.
But we are seeing a new kind of community center, the corner coffeehouse. Starbucks isn’t new but they are also not the sit and lounge type places. Groups don’t hold meetings there. No, it is the local corner coffeehouse that is taking over duties in bringing communities together. Besides doing social duty to bring neighbors together they pay for themselves by selling coffee, bagels, sandwiches and smoothies.
As I type this post (and the previous) I am sitting at Hartford Coffee at the corner of Hartford and Roger in St. Louis’ Tower Grove South neighborhood. Fellow REALTOR® Fred Hessel is sitting at the next table working and a friend just stopped in to get a danish & coffee. Other folks I recognize but don’t know have come and gone. We nod to acknowledge each other.
(Exterior of Hartford Coffee)
The future of neighborhoods are not huge sports stadiums downtown, parking garages in lieu of historic buildings or big box retailers. The future is the local coffee shop within a 15 minute walk of your house.