The Role of the H & O Restaurant as a Third Place in the Eastside Neighborhood: An Instrumental Case Study of Community Cohesion

This instrumental case study presented the examination of the social role of a family-owned business located in the Eastside Neighborhood in Pensacola, Florida, since the 1940s. The case study explored the history of the H & O Restaurant which operated in a neighborhood predominantly occupied by African Americans since the early 1900s. The researcher focused on the investigation of possible variables that may have determined the longevity of the business using the theory of third place as the framework for this study. The history of the City of Pensacola was examined with a focus on aspects such as the early diversity during colonial times, emancipation years, race relations, segregation, and the construction of Interstate 110. The study funneled from the overall historical context to specific accounts shared by participants who were residents and business owners in the community during segregation, integration, and interstate construction years. Multiple data collection methods were employed in this case study (e.g., historical and archival research, interviews, and observations). In addition, photographic inquiry was utilized as an alternative method of data collection to enrich the narrative. The data analysis was conducted following codes and themes emerging from data and using the theory of third place constructs in order to define the H & O Restaurant as a third place. Findings from multiple sources of data converged to support perceptions that the social role of the H & O Restaurant in combination with community cohesiveness were significant factors that may have contributed to the longevity of the business. The triangulation of data from multiple sources was the method utilized to ensure the credibility of findings.