Iowa
Explore Iowa City’s vibrant ‘Third Spaces’ from the library to the best cafes

Iowa City has found its stride in the post-pandemic world thanks to its dizzying array of “third spaces.” The locations have become gathering points for friends as well as a place to escape the mundane routine of work, where creativity radiates.
A third place is defined as “the social surroundings that are separate from the two usual social environments of home (“first place”) and the workplace (“second place”).” Libraries, parks, salons, barbershops, and cafes are some of the widely known and utilized third spaces. Third spaces became virtual hotspots during the pandemic, but now people are returning to the community. The concept has recently gained traction on social media, especially on the popular video-sharing app, Tik Tok.
Iowa City has many third places, from iconic spots to some underrated gems. Here are some of the best third spaces to explore in town:
Iowa City Public Library
123 S Linn St., Iowa City
The ICPL is one of the most popular “third places” in Iowa City, as it is a free and neutral gathering spot. The library provides a great place to work remotely while it also hosts many free community activities for all ages, from baby storytime to community blood drives and digital media labs for adults. The library is full of other worlds and opportunities.
More: Photos: Independent bookstores receive gift from author James Patterson
Robert A. Lee Recreation Center
220 S Gilbert St., Iowa City
The complete structure of the Robert A. Lee Recreation Center now occupies the former site of the Civil Defense Network of Nuclear Fallout Shelters, originally constructed to provide safety for occupants in the event of nuclear explosions. It is now best known as a community hotspot with a multitude of classes from ceramics to yoga, as well as a general workout space. Yearly memberships are available, but other events are open for non-members for a small fee or free of charge.
More: UI plans construction of first new road in more than a decade
Artistic Spaces
Public Space One
538 S Gilbert St., Iowa City
Public Space One, or PS1, was founded in 2002 for University of Iowa students in need of an off-campus space to rehearse and perform an original play. Since then, PS1 has maintained a multidisciplinary, experimental space for the Iowa City community to present and experience creative work. PS1 offers many resources for artists and cultural educational opportunities, from workshops to exhibitions. Workshops are open to the public with a registration fee.
Home Ec. Workshop
24 E Jefferson St., Iowa City
Home Ec. Workshop is Iowa City’s natural fiber, fabric, yarn, and craft supply shop. It is a welcoming and inspiring environment filled with great people and covers all the needs for sewing, knitting, quilting, and crocheting needs. Home Ec. Features a workshop space for sewing projects and a community “living room” where people can spend time together, show their work, chat, and work on current projects in good company. The location also offers classes. Home Ec. is a great place to meet other crafty individuals.
More: Holiday Guide: Find unique shops, delicious eats and festive activities in Iowa City
Beadology
355 S Clinton St., Iowa City
Opened in 1987, Beadology is full of beads from around the world, a haven for all things jewelry. The store prides itself on creating a respectful, supportive, and nonjudgemental atmosphere where jewelry designers – from beginners to professionals − can thrive. The store offers a multitude of classes at various experience levels and prices, from beading to glasswork.
Other Artists Spaces:
Renee’s Ceramic Cafe, 940 S Gilbert Ct., Iowa City
Cafés
Trumpet Blossom Café
310 E Prentiss St., Iowa City
Trumpet Blossom Café is a 100% plant-based restaurant with a rotating seasonal menu. The eatery is a perfect change of scenery from the work-from-home life. Anyone can find a space that gets the creative juices flowing. Trumpet Blossom Café also hosts local and touring musicians, regularly transforming into a music venue that allows guests to meet like-minded individuals.
Press Coffee
1120 N Dodge St., Iowa City
Tucked away on Dodge St., Press Coffee is a hospitable coffee shop specializing in French press coffee. The establishment has all the regular charm of the typical café with plenty of cozy couches and board games. Press Coffee is seamlessly intertwined with the community of regular customers, from welcoming local artists and displaying their art to hosting a local LGBTQIA+ group to talk about their experiences.
Other Cafés:
Prairie Lights Books and Café: 15 S Dubuque St., Iowa City
Coffee Emporium: 301 E Market St., Iowa City
Other Third Places to Explore
Chart Room for Trivia Tuesday from 7-9 p.m.
2441 James St. #4, Coralville
Open Mic with J Knight at La Wine every Wednesday from 7- 10 p.m.
180 E Burlington St., Iowa City
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached atJRish@presscitizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_.

Iowa
Man wanted on Iowa warrant chased by police across state lines

ALLAMAKEE COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – A man wanted on an Iowa arrest warrant was chased across state lines by police Wednesday.
The Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office received a report from the Houston County, Minnesota Sheriff’s Office at 10:16 a.m. Wednesday.
Houston County police informed the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office they were chasing a vehicle headed toward the Iowa-Minnesota border.
The vehicle, driven by 39-year-old Tyler Pierce, had struck a Houston County Sheriff’s vehicle while attempting to outrun law enforcement.
After receiving the report from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, the chase entered Allamakee County and continued south on State Highway 76 N.
This is when Allamakee County deputies joined Houston County police in the chase.
Pierce drove westbound into Winneshiek County and then crossed state lines again into Filmore County, Minnesota.
Police deployed stop sticks, deflating three of Pierce’s tires.
However, he continued to drive over 90 mph in an attempt to evade the police.
Pierce then entered the city of Preston, Minnesota on Highway 52, where he attempted to pass a semi-truck trailer.
However, he failed to pass and instead struck the semi, causing severe damage to his vehicle.
Pierce’s car eventually came to a stop, and he was taken into custody.
Pierce was transported to a Rochester, Minnesota hospital for treatment of his injuries.
No other people were injured in the chase.
A Houston County Sheriff patrol car and an Allamakee County Sheriff patrol car were damaged during the pursuit.
Pierce is now in the custody of Minnesota Law Enforcement.
Copyright 2025 KCRG. All rights reserved.
Iowa
Pitt Basketball Hosting Iowa State Transfer

PITTSBURGH — The Pitt Panthers are making progress in the transfer portal, as they are hosting a talented guard on a visit.
DuShawn London of 247Sports reported that Pitt is currently hosting Iowa State transfer freshman guard Nojus Indrusaitis, according to his agent Deirunas Visockas.
Indrusaitis hails from Chicago and played for St. Rita High School in the Chicago Catholic League, before heading to Brewster Academy, a boarding school in Wolfeboro, N.H.
He is of Lithuanian desent and played for the Lithuanian U18 FIBA team at the FIBA U18 Eurobasket, which the city of Tampere in Finland hosted.
Indrusaitis starred for Lithuania, averaging 20.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 28.2 minutes per game, while shooting 44.6% from the field, 35.4% from 3-point range and 69.6% from the foul line.
He was a consensus four-star recruit in the Class of 2024, with 247Sports ranking him No. 96 in the nation, No. 19 shooting guard and No. 2 recruit in Illinois, Rivals ranking him No. 86 in the country and No. 23 point guard, On3 ranking him No. 77 in the United States, No. 16 shooting guard and top recruit in New Hampshire and ESPN ranking him No. 70 in the nation, No. 14 shooting guard and No. 5 in Illinois.
Indrusaitis committed to Iowa State over offers from Big Ten schools in Illinois, Iowa, Maryland and Nebraska, Big East schools in DePaul, Marquette and Xavier, plus Missouri.
He played in the first eight games for the Cyclones, but just seven more the rest of the season, as he fell down the rotation.
Indrusaitis played in 15 games as a freshman, averaging 5.7 minutes and 2.1 points per game, while shooting 33.3% from the field, 14.3% from 3-point range and 52.9% from the foul line.
Pitt desperately needs players on its team for next season, as they have lost five players to the transfer portal so far.
This includes guards in All-ACC Third Team honoree Jaland Lowe and Amsal Delalić, plus forwards in Marlon Barnes Jr. and twin duo of Jorge and Guillermo Diaz Graham.
Pitt also had three players graduate who started throughout last season, including guards Ish Leggett and Damian Dunn, as well as forward Zack Austin, who earned All-ACC Defensive Team honors.
The Panthers only have four returning players in forwards Cameron Corhen, Papa Amadou Kante and Amdy Ndiaye and jut one guard in Brandin “Beebah” Cummings. They also have an incoming guard in Omari Witherspoon from St. John’s College in Washington, D.C.
Senior (One Year Left of Eligibilty)
Forward Cameron Corhen
Junior (Two years Left of Eligibility)
Forward Benjamin Mayhew (Walk-On)
Forward Jajuan Nelson (Walk-On)
Redshirt Sophomore (Three Years Left of Eligibilty)
Forward Papa Amadou Kante
Sophomore (Three Years Left of Eligibility)
Guard Brandin “Beebah” Cummings
Forward Amdy Ndiaye
Center Liam Mignogna (Walk-On)
Freshman
Guard Omari Witherspoon
Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!
Follow Inside the Panthers on Twitter: @InsidePitt
Iowa
Iowa baseball cruises to run-rule victory vs. Bradley

In a single-game midweek matchup vs. Bradley (3-20, 0-6 Missouri Valley), Iowa baseball (17-9, 10-2 Big Ten) defeated the Braves through a 13-3 run-rule decision in seven innings on Tuesday night from Dozer Park in Peoria, Ill.
Freshman Jaron Bleeker (2-0, 5.68 ERA) started on the mound for the second time in his career and was credited with the win. He gave up one run, walked a batter, and struck out a batter in his lone inning of work.
Six other pitchers saw the mound for Iowa, each throwing an inning. The pitching staff combined for 12 strikeouts and seven walks and didn’t give up a run after the fourth inning. The Hawkeyes also held the Braves to three hits.
“On the mound we were definitely better than we were last Tuesday, which was a good sign,” said head coach Rick Heller. “A few too many free bases, but it wasn’t a great night to play. To get out of here with a 10-run rule win — we’ll take it.”
In terms of the Hawkeyes’ offense, Iowa mustered a total of eight hits and earned walks on 14 occasions.
“It was a strange game tonight, really,” said Heller. “We were able to take advantage of a lot of Bradley free bases.”
The Hawkeyes plated five in the first off seven walks and an error. They didn’t score again until the fifth frame when junior Gable Mitchell hit a 2 RBI single and transfer Miles Risley slapped a 2 RBI double.
“In the fifth, we broke through with some clutch hits,” said Heller. “Gable Mitchell had a big two-out hit that gave us some breathing room, and Risley followed two batters later.”
Iowa scored its final three runs in the seventh inning when grad transfer Daniel Rogers hit an RBI triple and junior Kooper Schulte smacked a two-run home run.
Risley was the lone Hawkeye with a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with two stolen bases. Freshman Jaixen Frost walked in two runs and scored twice. Junior Caleb Wulf and redshirt sophomore Reese Moore each scored two runs. Senior Ben Wilmes also recorded an RBI walk.
Up next for Iowa will be a three-game Big Ten series vs. Northwestern (13-13, 5-4) from Rocky and Berenice Miller Park in Evanston, Ill., with Game 1 scheduled for Friday at 3 p.m. CT. The entire series can be seen on Big Ten Plus (Subscription required) and heard on the Hawkeyes Radio Network alongside play-by-play voice John Leo and color analyst John Evans.
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