Brewing Community: A Journey Into Coffee and Culture with Brooke Bierhaus Sutton

The Bentonville Beacon

Summary

In this episode of The Bentonville Beacon, host James Bell is joined by Brooke Bierhaus Sutton, Co-Founder and Owner of Third Space Coffee, a beloved coffee haven nestled inside Best Friends Pet Resource Center Northwest Arkansas in Bentonville. As an award-winning documentary filmmaker, Brooke’s work has appeared in National Geographic, PBS, NBC Sports, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, ABC Australia and more. Brooke’s curiosity and passion for cultural experiences led her to embrace the study of food anthropology and delve into the world of coffee, exploring the rich histories and communal aspects hidden in every cup. With the belief that sharing moments over coffee can create a lasting impact and break down barriers, Brooke shares about the founding of Third Space Coffee, why its menu is as intentional as the space it occupies and how it's fostering a community hub on the ancestral lands of the Quapaw, Caddo and Osage, in the heart of Bentonville, where connections are forged, ideas are exchanged and dreams are nurtured.

Thanks for tuning in!

Show Notes

Timestamps in this blog are for the audio-only version of the podcast; video timing differs.

(0:53) Introduction to Brooke Bierhaus Sutton

(2:48) From Documentary Filmmaker to Coffee Shop Owner

(7:51) About Third Space Coffee and Why It’s Unique

(12:29) Third Space Coffee’s Mission

(17:52) Best Friends Pet Resource Center Northwest Arkansas

(20:29) Potential Opportunities with 8th Street Gateway Park

(23:25) Community Partnerships

(28:37) Brooke’s Journey to Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas

(31:56) Brooke’s #BecauseBentonville Story

(35:08) Advice for Tackling Unknown Challenges

(43:53) Closing Question

‍Links

James Bell

Bentonville Economic Development

Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce

Brooke Bierhaus Sutton

Third Space Coffee Co

Bierhaus Creative

Best Friends Pet Resource Center Northwest Arkansas

Quotes

“I think one big thing about Third Space is that even in the name, we teased how we’re a third place now. Third places are needed in society. They’re not home or the office. They’re this place where it needs to be accessible in public to everyone.” - Brooke Bierhaus Sutton, (7:59)

“We always say that we’re not just connecting humans to humans, we’re connecting humans to nature, humans to wildlife…but maybe it is a day where you put headphones in and you just want to work somewhere that’s good energy and around good people. And that’s what we want to provide.” - Brooke Bierhaus Sutton, (9:50)

“It was really important to us to be this shining bright light on someone’s day. And people who come in, they could be having an awful day, but if you get just three to five minutes to make it better, you’re doing something right.” - Brooke Bierhaus Sutton, (16:02)

“[The Greater Bentonville Chamber of Commerce has been] huge in allowing us to really get connected with other businesses as well, and be a part of the community and to either give some of our time and also be given a lot of insight and connections as well.” - Brooke Bierhaus Sutton, (23:36)

“People really lend their time, and I really believe that could only happen [in Bentonville]. And so Third Space Coffee is the manifestation of all of that, the culmination of all those connections.” - Brooke Bierhaus Sutton, (34:10)