Originally theorized by Ray Oldenburg, a third place is meant to be a social anchor between home and work. Typically these communal places are bookstores, salons, coffeeshops, pubs and restaurants. But across Sacramento, art spaces like Demo, Panama Pottery and Forma are filling the social gap left by shuttered cafes and bars.

When the restaurant opens in late spring, you will still be able to get a chili dog or a hamburger griddled to a dark sear on the flat top grill. But you can also order a hot dog called a “Catalina wine mixer”: chicken based and topped with kale, avocado and pungent garlic-anchovy mayonnaise. 

Some members of the arts sector experience instability due to a lack of ownership in the creative movements they build. A year out from pandemic reopenings, city and state programs are supporting artists in unprecedented ways — but the relief is temporary.

The team behind Makers Mart, Sacramento’s annual holiday bazaar, has dealt with a litany of challenging logistics over the last decade. But the show always goes on in high style.

The 17th annual event gives art lovers an opportunity to tour hundreds of artists’ spaces and connect with them in their element. 

As a full time director of communications in the health care field, Woodland Mayor Mayra Vega cares about including the underrepresented and boosting the city’s tech jobs.

With “Dissect,” Cole Cuchna goes deep into his favorite music albums, cultivating curiosity in others. Now nine seasons in, he’s found success with a Spotify partnership and a talk at TEDxBerkeley.

The former journalist shapes the brand for Visit Sacramento’s web content, audio-visual output, podcast, Visitors Guide and more.

PODCAST: The pop-up model allows independent chefs to experiment with new concepts and creative menus without investing in overhead.

The pop-up model allows independent chefs to experiment with new concepts and creative menus without investing in overhead.

The neighborhood lunch spot serves comfort sandwiches, Sunday brunch, desserts and a bodega-style assortment of beer and wine. 

Alycia Anderson pivoted from a successful career as a sales executive to start her own company championing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.

As senior program director of Capitol Impact, Anna Fontus crafts policies that address inequality in California’s complex social systems.

Brandon Brown is CEO and co-founder of the fast-growing Sacramento-based company Grin. His thought leadership on influencer marketing is based on authenticity.

Freelance essayist Sarah Miller lends her idiosyncratic style to The New Yorker website and many other publications. The Nevada City-based writer was commissioned by Substack to start her own newsletter earlier this year. 

Gallerist Faith J. McKinnie is highlighting the work she wants to see in her Midtown gallery that highlights contemporary art by underrepresented artists.

Licensed marriage and family therapist Lupe Nambo considers it her mission to “decolonize therapy.”

Tucked into a Tahoe Park warehouse is Spiders Garage, a wonderland of vintage clothing collected and sourced by owner Chris Bond.

Melissa McGillicuddy and Shahera Hyatt are hosts and comedians of the Moving Van Show, a comedy show based out of a rented U-Haul. 

Vanessa Maggio, vegan snack enthusiast, is the owner of Gxxd Box, an upcycled shipping container that will soon be situated somewhere within Midtown Sacramento.

Sacramento Republic FC is celebrating LGBTQ+ businesses through its Kickstart grant series.

Onit Coffee isn’t your standard coffee shop. For starters, it’s not a “shop” in the brick-and-mortar sense (yet).

Vicki Gonzalez brings 15 years of news reporting experience and a multicultural point of view to her new role as host of “Insight,” CapRadio’s one-hour morning radio program covering the Sacramento region’s issues and events.

Elyse Tolles is a one-woman show — a designer of artful jewelry and a former flutist.

Miranda Culp and Laurelin Gilmore are accustomed to the look of wonder on the faces of the people who stumble into their independent bookshop, Amatoria Fine Art Books. 

When it comes to hand-making wellness products and working with her clients, Lei Green “gravitates from the central point of love.”

The cofounders of Last Supper Society describe their project as “a culinary collective that designs food experiences,” as well as “a first-of-its-kind interactive TV show.” 

It’s crucial for people who have limited English proficiency to process information accurately as they navigate complex systems, and William Glasser has focused his career on helping them do so.

Luke Swanson and Jacob Dill, cofounders of Plant Daddy Co., are partners in life and business and discovered the joy of plant parenthood in their 20s living in San Francisco and Portland.

Many people depend on their dogs to help them stay positive. Kirk is doing her part to provide levity and amusement to her customers, both human and canine. 

Longing for a way to be creative during the hours she felt most energized, Bosserman set out to develop a community space for working families in early 2018.