These days, my primary "third place" is my local game store (LGS). For those unfamiliar, an LGS is a small independent retailer of physical gaming merchandise that can include board games, card games, tabletop games, and role-playing games. Not every LGS serves all of these categories of gaming in great depth, but most will carry at least a few product lines of all of the major brands in each space. If you're new, you'll probably be able to get what you need to get started in whatever floats your boat. It is quite common for an LGS to specialize in one or more of these categories. For example, one LGS near me mostly focuses on carrying all of the latest indie board games. Another specializes in trading card games (TCGs). An important aspect to a successful LGS is the play space. It's a reserved area of the store that serves as a dedicated place for gamers to get together, face to face, and engage with each other in their chosen game. A good LGS will maintain a published calendar of recurring events, as well as special one-off events such as pre-releases or major tournaments. Sometimes events are unstructured: you show up at a specific time, and self organize pickup games with other attendees. Structured events are also quite common, for example a weekly meetup where a matchmaker or bracket system pairs you up with other players. Events may be casual or competitive, with free entry or paid entry. A good LGS makes all of this clear in their events calendar so that players have a good understanding of what to expect. An LGS lives or dies by the community they foster. In the best cases, they work to cultivate an inclusive and friendly atmosphere that is welcoming to newcomers and can maintain and nourish their pipeline of regular players. The store owners and staff set the tone for the culture of their store. As with any social hobby, feeling safe and comfortable is a prerequisite for recurring participation. If the vibe is off, you'll probably be able to tell after only a few visits. Before settling on my current LGS, I visited a number of stores in my area over a period of a few months - basically vibe checking the environment. Some were bad, and I never went back. Most were good to great. I picked the one I liked the best and became a regular there. It became "my" LGS. Why do I like my LGS so much? They do a good job with the merch and with their space. Their prices are fair, and I'm more than happy to pay slightly above market rate to support them. Most importantly, they really nail the community atmosphere. I attended my first event there in 2024, and I was made to feel welcome by (what at that time were) a group of total strangers. After going a few more times, I knew all of the regulars, and they knew me. Best of all, new people stop by all the time, and many keep coming back. If you're someone that struggles to meet new people, this is an ideal situation: all you need to do is be kind and welcoming to someone else who is even more out of their comfort zone than you are! Reasons to find and support a good LGS: Engage in an in-person hobby instead of spending that time in front of a screen Meet new people in a way that feels safe and comfortable The environment is often very diverse. For example, events at my LGS are attended by players across a wide spectrum of ages, gender identities, ethnic backgrounds, etc. It's a good way to expose yourself to different types of games; you may pick up an unexpected new hobby! Your attendance helps foster a local community of mutual interest You are supporting a local business that aligns with your values (and if they don't align, I would humbly suggest looking around for a new LGS. Many communities have at least a few) For anyone looking for a third place that is more engaging than a coffee shop, I would highly recommend checking out the local game stores in your area. Even current non-gamers or extreme casuals can find an entry point for participation. If you have the interest and ability to learn something new, and the patience to look around to find the right fit, a new hobby with a built-in social circle is out there, waiting for you to find it. ~nullish