To the Editor:

Brick and mortar locations of cafes, restaurants, and pubs are often called “third places.” Places where we develop a sense of belonging away from home and work. Places where we foster associative connections filling in the cracks and crevices of our relationships. I look at our entire downtown as the collective third place — the only shared neighborhood that belongs to all of us. Here, social cohesion manifests.

In 1993 when my business partner and I were searching for the perfect American town in which to open Small World Coffee, Princeton made us put on the brakes. It boasted a healthy retail mix, internationally acclaimed institutions, commercial and residential walkability, access to NYC, and a diverse, cosmopolitan community. Most important? Princeton had huge heart and deep soul.

I was 27 years old when we opened, and I turn 55 any day now! I’ve spent half of my life living and working in this community. We loved raising our children here and benefited from this “third place” feeling in our downtown business district. Once our kids were old enough, they would walk up from Community Park School at the end of the day to meet me at work, have a snack, and then go on excursions in town on their own. The library!, jaZams!, Ice cream! All of these shop owners knew (and still know) our kids, and held a caring, watchful eye over them.

It’s a subtle and powerful thing.

At Small World Coffee we have witnessed babies become full-grown adults now having babies of their own. The connection to these families is genuine. Our employees become close to so many customers and build strong, trusting relationships outside of work — from babysitting to dog walking, and even marriage! These associative, intersectional relationships nourish our lives. These relationships germinate, root, and flourish within a robust downtown filled with locally owned, dynamic, successful businesses.

COVID has affected the health and well-being of so many of our loved ones as well as the health of our downtown. Our local merchants are working harder than ever to ensure its safety and vitality. This holiday season, let’s love our local Princeton more than we have ever loved it before.  The downtown business community is interdependent; we can only thrive together. All of us. Over the years as foot traffic has slackened around the holiday season, local businesses feel and absorb the impact. In short, if more people are shopping online then there are fewer folks strolling the streets stopping for a bite to eat, an ice cream, or a cup of coffee. Let’s make the choice to shop in Princeton, keep our money in the local economy, and create the kind of town that will not only fulfill our practical needs, but also a sense of connection — a third place we collectively call home.

Jessica Durrie
Co-Owner, Small World Coffee
Cuyler Road