Libraries, coffee shops, and malls are all fading. No one is going to places to socialize anymore. We are in an era of declining community.
In Atlanta, places to hang out have been slowly changing, no longer accommodating people, especially teens. With factors such as closing times and prices, they encourage people to either spend money or leave.
Places for people to hang out, also known as “third spaces,” are really important, especially in an area like Atlanta. Third spaces foster a strong sense of community, allow us to make meaningful connections, and serve as hubs of culture.
Money is one of the huge factors in how these spaces have continued to decline. When thinking about places to be, some of the first thoughts would have been a boba shop or a mall. In recent times, though, these places have become much more expensive to mingle.
The price of a basic medium roast venti at Starbucks today is $4.30. In comparison, the average cost of a Starbucks venti in 2015 was about $2.45. It gets even more expensive at a more teen-friendly, popular place, such as Taichi Bubble Tea in the heart of Atlanta, where the average drink costs about $6.65 today. As prices have gone up, finding places to hang out has started to become more financially challenging than in years past.
In an article named “Third Places: What Are They and Why Are They Important to American Culture?” published in November 2023 by the University of Chicago, it states, “purchasing a drink or a snack is often an unspoken requirement to attend and linger in these third spaces. While you do not have to spend an arm and a leg to enter a coffee shop or bar, the cost of this imaginary “entry ticket” may prevent some people from regularly using these spots as their preferred third space.”
Closing times are another major factor in why these places are declining so much. For people getting off work or school on weekdays, many third places closing before they have a chance to spend time there disincentivize people from going there in the first place.
For the average 9-5 worker, places like Lenox Square, Atlantic Station, and Ponce City Market all close at around 8 to 9 pm. Three hours would be the absolute maximum time someone could spend at a third space, and that time would decrease further when responsibilities are considered. This problem is even worse with teens who face prejudice in the form of curfews and chaperone policies.
Going back to the example of Atlantic Station, it has a strict 3 pm curfew for people under 18. It even has a policy that prevents gatherings of 4 or more juveniles.
In the words of 19-year-old Georgia Tech student Jayden Xiong, “I feel like the quality of places to hang out definitely got a lot better. And that comes at a higher cost. Because usually it used to be just me and my friends hanging out in the park for however long we hang out for. But if we want to upgrade it to an actual experience, such as Topgolf or an arcade, I feel like the price there is justified.”
Third spaces foster connection and lead to a better community for all of Atlanta. In the absence of accessibility, however, these places decline, and so will our culture if this problem is not addressed.
“But I do feel like if they were to close down some stuff within walking distance,” says Xiong, “Such as the student center where I can’t get my food, or if they close down the CRC where I can’t call friends that have to sit at the gym, I think that would be a detriment to my relationship with my friends.”
