Across the city, small businesses are becoming more than a place to shop. From bookstores to bakeries, these “third spaces” are helping Pittsburghers reconnect after years of isolation.
The pandemic reshaped how and where we choose to spend our time. Offices slowly emptied, routines shifted and social life transitioned online. Now, in neighborhoods across the city, there’s been a quiet return of the “third place.”
The term “third place” was coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg — it is simply a place that isn’t home or work. It’s a gathering location where people come together naturally. In Pittsburgh, a steady number of businesses are leaning more into that idea.
From creative coworking spaces to community-owned bookstores, these spots offer something that many people have missed during the years of isolation: a chance to be with other people.
Photo courtesy of Creative Chem Co.
Creative Chem Co.: A hotspot in Garfield
At Creative Chem Co. in Garfield, owner Marla Solnik designed the space for the way many people work today: digitally immersed, but still craving connection and creativity.
The space functions as a hybrid coworking and creative space where freelancers, artists and entrepreneurs can work alongside one another. Laptops are welcome, but Solnik says the goal is to balance digital work with other opportunities.
“We want people to be able to work digitally here, but also to step away from their screens and use their hands,” Solnik says. “So many of us spend our days online, and this space gives people the chance to reconnect with creativity more physically.”
Inside the space, this philosophy follows throughout the art-making stations to the collaborative work tables, where visitors can experiment with materials and work on their personal projects.
Rather than separating the creative fields, Solnik believes the goal should be to bring them together.
When writers, designers, artists and entrepreneurs share a space, unexpected collaboration follows, which can turn a simple workspace into something much more.
@lanatelreads looking for literally any excuse to make the 5 hour drive back to Beyond Bedtime Books so I can shop some more 😭 #thrifting #usedbooks #indiebookstore #pittsburgh @VisitPITTSBURGH ♬ original sound – ALANA📚🩵
Beyond Bedtime Books: A bookstore built on relationships
Celebrating 16 years in business, Jamie Grassman has curated a bookstore that feels like home. Settled in Dormont, the shop offers a mix of new and used books for all ages.
“I would describe it as just a cozy, warm feeling,” says Grassman. “It’s solely who I am as a person. … People often tell me it feels like home.”
The bookstore doubles as a meeting space, hosting events like Booze and Books, which offers complimentary wine for readers to relax, connect and enjoy literature together. These personal touches are what sets her store apart from larger chain retailers, says Grassman.
“I am my store, and I give recommendations. … Even if no one comes into my store to shop, they’ll often stick their head in and say ‘that joke made my day.’ So I think it’s the little things that set you aside from the big box stores for sure.”
Post-pandemic, Grassman observed her renewed aspiration for in-person interactions, “Books brought people together again. … Everybody wants to kind of have that unity.”
Photo courtesy of Heat Check.
Heat Check: A hub for local creatives
Brendan Kelly and his business partner, Ricky Daley, founded Heat Check almost 13 years ago, aiming to merge vintage fashion with other creative fields.
“We just wanted to create somewhere where people can be themselves and connect with other unique individuals through fashion, art, music and just creation in general,” Kelly says.
Heat Check highlights local artisanship and collaboration. The space also hosts events such as comedy shows, latte art throwdowns and workshops in jewelry and crochet.
Kelly describes the impact of these interactions, “It is honestly the most rewarding and prideful part of what I do. … The relationships and friendships with the community make everything worth it.”
Supporting local makers within the city is central to Heat Check’s identity. Kelly notes, “There is nothing like interacting with the human being who actually made this thing from scratch with their own hands. This is the stuff I like to buy and support.”
Third Space Bakery’s modular sales counter and open production space. Photo by Roman Hladio.
Third Space Bakery: Learning, baking and connecting
In Garfield, Beth Taylor helped to build Third Space Bakery, which doubles as a teaching kitchen. From sourdough bread to seasonal pastries, the bakery focuses on locally sourced, organic ingredients and hands-on culinary opportunities.
“Keeping the money local as possible and supporting other small businesses. … Our coffee is roasted three blocks down the street, and our flour is milled at the beginning of the week. It just tastes better – fresher, better,” says Taylor.
Classes and workshops are foregrounded in the bakery’s mission, providing opportunities for people to learn together. “I’ve seen strangers exchanging phone numbers by the end of a class and wanting to meet up again. … People are longing for that connection, and it makes them come out more.”
Behind the scenes at the bakery, there’s a full orchestra of processes happening. Maintaining sourdough starters, prepping ingredients and converting the space for classes requires tedious planning. But the payoff is meaningful engagement.
“When the bakery’s open, I love it when we’re busy. … In the class, I’m just happy when people are connecting and talking, and sometimes we all just sit down and eat together at the end.”
Kamani Kegler is a senior at the University of Pittsburgh and one of the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation‘s Chris Moore interns.