We offer two examples to illustrate our point. Country stores influence the economic, social, and political life of many Southern communities.5 Citizens gather regularly at Ray's Grocery to discuss issues. However, the team realized the free space at Ray's Grocery has limited potential. Normally, discussion at Ray's skips back and forth from national and state issues to local gossip to community issues with no real focus. Discussion is based on limited sources of information because residents are unaware or don't have access to other resources.
Participation is influenced by gender and generational differences.
Residents either don't see the need or know how to form larger social networks outside their free space. They lack the public skills or self-confidence to take action to solve their community problems. A community-based needs assessment at Ray's Grocery6 brought out the most constructive aspects of free space and minimized some of the dysfunctional aspects. Ray's was chosen because people already gathered freely there, communicated openly, and it was a comfortable meeting place. Discussion took place daily among patrons gathered near the back of the store, seated on comfortable, movable, make-shift seating.