Third Places, Real Metrics, and the Vibrant Pulse of a Downtown

We’ve been tracking the wrong numbers.
While economists and city planners have long obsessed over job creation, office occupancy, and real estate tax rolls, the true health of a community lies somewhere more unexpected.

At your local coffee shop.
On a sunny patio at a brewery.
In the hum of a bookstore or the back table at your favorite café.

These are what sociologist Ray Oldenburg famously called “third places”—not your home (first place), not your work (second place), but that magical in-between space where community thrives.

And in 2025? That’s where the action is.

At the Cheers to 5 Years celebration for the Brew Barons Trail, Ryan Unger, CEO of the Harrisburg Chamber, said it plainly:

“Arts, culture, coffee shops, and craft breweries—these are the things that attract talent. They’re what signify a healthy, thriving community.”

It’s a message echoed by urbanist and economist Richard Florida, who argues that our downtowns shouldn’t be judged by how many cubicles are filled—but by how many people want to gather, explore, and engage.

“Don’t mistake the decline of the office for the decline of the city,” he says. “People still want to go downtown—but for connection, not just work.”

At Yokl, we see this every day. Our local food tours don’t just celebrate chefs—they connect neighbors. Our business profiles don’t just share info—they tell stories. And our soon-to-launch app will turn visits to local businesses into a game of exploration, discovery, and reward.

Because it turns out that a crowded coffee shop or lively brewery might be the most honest data point we have.

It means people care. It means the community is showing up.
And it means the heartbeat of the town is still strong.

So next time you wonder how your downtown’s doing—don’t check an office tower.
Head to a book store or a brewery and look around.

That’s where the future lives.