(BPT) - Beyond home and the workplace, people need spaces to gather, meet new people and just hang out. These are known as "third places": public parks, libraries and community centers, plus retail spaces, like coffee shops, bookstores and restaurants, and downtowns and main streets where people can socialize.
Many Americans today feel more lonely and isolated, navigating increased disconnection caused by screens and social media, plus cultural shifts that began during COVID. Nearly half of Americans (44%) say there's no local coffee shop, bar, restaurant or park they visit regularly, and only 1 in 4 who live near potential gathering spots go there weekly.
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