"WHERE GEEKS FEEL AT HOME, AND EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO PLAY!"

Okay, but what does that mean?

About Us

A third place is the place after home and work where someone feels comfortable and at home. 

Once upon a time it was somewhere like an arcade, bowling alley, or hair salon. The most famous third place is where everyone knows your name— the famous bar Cheers— and others from TV include Buffy’s The Bronze, The Flash’s CC Jitters, and Friends’ Central Perk.

The Fourth Place takes its name from the sense of belonging we get from a “third place” and some other geeky concepts that are close to my heart:

  • Jack Kirby's cosmic comic books about space gods from the Fourth World
  • Faerie as the Fourth realm of storybooks, after Earth, Heaven, and Hell
  • The kind of gaming group where you still have a blast when you get fourth place

Our mission is to create spaces where people can feel at home sharing hobbies and passions, whether that's our online community, pop-up gaming events pre-pandemic, or the physical space we'll working on opening as soon as it's safe and responsible.

  • Ian C. Struckhoff

    (He/Him)

    FOUNDER & OWNER

    Geek Culture: Comics writer, LARP design, cosplay photography, and now The Fourth Place


    Tech Leader & Executive: Homesite Insurance, TSD Rental, LevelUp (now GrubHub), and more


    Indie Comics Creator: The Deathlings, Black Label Comics anthology, Failsafe


    Photographer: Formerly known as Ian X., DeviantArt senior member

  • Maia Cat

    (She/Her)
    CHIEF FELINE OFFICER


    Maia provides moral support, inspects the inventory, and keeps the bedding in place.


    …Honestly she doesn’t do much, but I couldn’t do it without her.

  • Kari Jo "Kage" Freudigmann

    (She/Her)

    ADVISORY BOARD


    Gender and Sexuality advocate in higher education


    Variety gamer at RagexKagexRugger on Twitch


    Learn more on her website