About The Third Place

1811 Glenwood Avenue (Five Points) Raleigh, North Carolina 27608

919.834.6566

Hours
Open Weekdays from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Weekends from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m.

Background
Longtime patrons of The Third Place, artists Jill Marie and David Benson bought the shop in March of 2004.  David, famous for creating the Great Raleigh Acorn dropped at First Night celebrations since 1992, is the Chef while Jill has used her interior design experience and remembrances as a customer to create a cozy relaxed atmosphere.  When Jill enthusiastically moved the furniture around, loyal customers protested the new placement of the wooden bench on which people had proposed marriages, made business deals and fostered friendships so it was returned to its original home.  The exotic Kilim pillows on the bench inspired the designs seen on marketing materials and the Web site for the coffeehouse.  Feeling that it “takes a coffee shop to raise a child”, David and Jill have also provided a secondary seating area for children complete with toys, delighting both kids and parents.

David brings his artistic skills to cooking and enjoys creating fun specials, often featuring seasonal produce.  The Third Place has expanded the breakfast menu and, in the process, hooked many customers on its breakfast sandwich.  In addition to many of the menu items, the scones, cookies, certain muffins and even peanut butter are made right in the shop!  Call for specials, orders to go, or view the menu on the Web.

The Third Place enjoys featuring a different local artist each month on its walls and the space is in such demand that it is booked into next year.  Daniel, a local acoustic musician, plays each Monday night adding an ambience to the already cozy environment.

(note: art is booked through 2006 and no booking for 2007 is planned yet.)

The name, The Third Place, comes from the book written by Ray Oldenburg in which he celebrates the “third places” in our lives – after home and work, these are the places where people can relax in good company on a regular basis.  We invite you to make us your “third place”!