Presence&Co: a new third place in Reading, built for courage, connection, and community
Ribbon cutting at the Presence&Co grand opening on Monday, June 16, 2025. Photo by Taylor Gregory.
(4 minute read)
Presence&Co, Reading’s newest community space, officially opened its doors this month, offering something increasingly rare in modern life: a place to slow down, disconnect from technology, and connect meaningfully with others. The grand opening on Monday, June 16, welcomed nearly 80 guests who came to explore the thoughtfully designed space, meet founder Hannah Corbett, and experience the beginning of what Presence&Co hopes will become a true “third place” for Reading.
What is Presence&Co?
Presence&Co is more than a business - it’s a movement. Designed to be a modern third place (a social environment outside of home and work), Presence&Co is a screen-free space intentionally created to foster genuine connection, creativity, and well-being. It’s a bold response to the growing need for meaningful, in-person interaction in an increasingly digital world.
The space itself includes:
An open lobby with tables and chairs for conversation and connection.
Individual lockers, affectionately called “phone jail”, are to encourage guests to fully disconnect from their devices while in the space.
A small but growing collection of board games.
Multiple office, conference, and event spaces available for rent.
A massage therapy practice is soon to join the space in the next couple of months
Presence&Co’s mission is to empower people to live with presence, purpose, and courage. Whether you’re stopping by to join a community workshop, host a gathering, rent a quiet office space, or simply enjoy a screen-free afternoon, the space is designed to inspire mindfulness and connection.
A courageous new chapter
Founder Hannah Corbett’s journey to creating Presence&Co is a story of resilience and self-discovery. After years in healthcare operations and digital health startups, a sudden layoff became a catalyst for change. Through travel, silence, and reflection, she realized that well-being is more than just health care - it’s about how we live each day.
“I am building the space I want to be a part of,” Hannah said in her grand opening speech. “It takes 80-100 hours to make a new friend, and right now, there are limited places where people can make those kinds of connections.”
The name Presence&Co carries special meaning: “Co” doesn’t stand for company - it stands for courage and connection. This place is where people are encouraged to be fully themselves, to bring good energy, and to leave behind the constant pull of technology.
Well-being graphic from the Presence&Co website.
A space with intention
Presence&Co is built on a set of core community guidelines that foster kindness, authenticity, and mindfulness:
Be courageously you
Be kind
No technology
Alcohol-free space
Be present & engage with openness
Respect healthy boundaries
Spread joy, not germs
At Presence&Co, there are no phones, no social media distractions, and no alcohol - a deliberate choice to encourage genuine social connection without the usual crutches. “We wanted to create a space where courage comes from within, not from a drink,” Hannah explained.
Community support and momentum
The Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce was among the many who celebrated the opening. Jamie Bradley, representing the Chamber, shared his excitement, noting that the Chamber had only recently begun exploring the idea of a third space - Hannah brought that idea to life in Reading before the conversation even fully started.
The success of the grand opening was deeply personal for Hannah. In a follow-up conversation, she reflected:
“Welcoming nearly 80 guests through the doors of Presence&Co felt like a beautiful affirmation of why I started this space. People are hungry for something more intentional, a place to be fully present and feel a true sense of belonging.”
At the end of the night, two women shared that they had met for the first time at the event and had already made plans to meet for lunch later that week. “That simple interaction perfectly reflects the kind of meaningful connections we hope to foster here,” Hannah said.
Hannah also extended heartfelt thanks to the people who helped bring this vision to life: her parents, who travels from upstate new York to help prepare the space; her brother, cousins, aunts, and uncles who jumped in to clean; and Liz, her realtor, who helped her find the perfect home for Presence&Co.
What’s next for Presence&Co?
Looking ahead, Hannah envisions Presence &Co hosting a variety of events: from art exhibits and dance parties to workshops and private celebrations - all centered around building authentic community.
“This is about reclaiming our social spaces from digital distractions and drinking culture,” Hannah said. “We’re creating something grounded, nourishing, and real.”
Video of Presence&Co founder Hannah Corbett addressing the crowd during the grand opening of the space. Video by Mary Wohlman-Krogh.
