Rugged Grounds, a coffee shop in Downtown Provo, has an uncertain future. A proposed plan to demolish the shop and replace it with an apartment complex has sparked concerns and action within Provo. The local community has created petitions and spoken at Provo City Council meetings to oppose this demolition. Citizens have also begun planning a benefit concert to save the coffee shop that will take place on February 7th.

Rugged Grounds has become much more than just a coffee shop, it’s become a gathering place for artists, students, and neighbors. Known for its warm atmosphere and its role in fostering a community of creators, people are willing to protect it at all costs. Rugged Grounds has stayed as one of few independent businesses that prioritize community and connection over profit. This isn’t just about losing a beloved coffee shop, it’s about losing what makes Downtown Provo special. 

People are not backing down against developers. During the Provo City Council meeting on January 8th, there was a major push where dozens of community members showed up to defend the shop and speak out against the demolition. One high school student, Evan Seel, put it perfectly during his speech:

“Rugged Grounds has served as a place for me to grow as an artist, an activist, and simply been a place to escape the cold when I had nowhere to go. It’s important to protect places like Rugged Grounds where anyone can go and experience authentic humanity and community, and I believe that to allow these developers to destroy a community center as important to the people of Provo would be an action complicit in the attempted destruction of authentic humanity and community.” 

Many agreed with Seel, adding onto the speech. “3rd spaces must be protected!” And they’re right, Provo does not need any more lifeless apartment complexes that remove the authenticity and soul of the city. A study published in the Journal of Urban Affairs found that third spaces play a crucial role in fostering important social connections while also creating a sense of belonging in the community. So places like Rugged Grounds don’t just grind up coffee beans, they serve as important hubs for creativity and culture. 

Spaces like Rugged Grounds have proven to make cities better, not just socially but also economically and culturally.  So this isn’t just about Rugged Grounds, it’s about what kind of city and community we want. Do we want more lifeless apartment buildings? Or third spaces that support the community and give people a place to retreat to? As a community, we have a choice to make. We can either let developers tear down a culturally significant and worthy place or we can take a stand to protect them. Only time will tell if Rugged Grounds will survive, but for now, we can stand up to protect 3rd spaces against developers.