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
Bentonville Economic Development
Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce
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)
Brewing Community: A Journey Into Coffee and Culture with Brooke Bierhaus Sutton
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.
Blending Urban Life and Heritage
Brooke’s venture into the heart of Bentonville began with her poignant documentary, Regeneration of Land and Culture, a visual narrative highlighting the Quapaw Nation’s endeavors to reintroduce buffalo to their native grounds. Brooke’s ancestral roots intertwine with the Quapaw Nation, linking her past with a sense of duty to the future in which she would found Third Space Coffee.
Third Space believes in the power of coffee to foster relationships and inspire innovation while emphasizing endless possibilities and growth. Embedded within the walls of Best Friends Pet Resource Center, Third Space’s inclusive essence emerges in its plant-based offerings and animal adoption events, making it a refuge not only for pet lovers but also for those with dietary restrictions.
“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)
Shaping an Intentional Atmosphere
The name “Third Space Coffee” captures the epitome of a third-wave coffee culture, paying homage to authenticity, community and personal growth. With Brooke’s origin story layered in global coffee narratives and a reverent bond with nature, Third Space’s logo is a symphony of symbols that encapsulates a commitment to both local roots and broadened mindfulness.
“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)
When stepping into Third Space Coffee, you’ll be enveloped in an atmosphere that’s as intentional as its carefully curated coffee menu, a place where you can compare the bold and complex notes of your morning espresso into the yellows and oranges of an Ozark sunrise. Located on the ancestral lands of Quapaw, Caddo and Osage and amidst the upcoming 8th Street Gateway Park, Third Space is strategically planted to not be just a stop, but a destination.
Get Connected!
Thank you for tuning into this episode of The Bentonville Beacon! Join us weekly for more stories and advice from the entrepreneurs, business executives and community leaders who are sparking the rise of the Greater Bentonville Area. If you are interested in discussing whether your business should have a presence in Greater Bentonville or would like to discuss this podcast, please contact James Bell. You may reach James at jbell@greaterbentonville.com or (479) 273-2841.
Links for Additional Mentions
Don Sutton, Co-Founder, Third Space Coffee
