Experience Principles

We get it. It’s not easy to start a conversation. Even when we are forced into close quarters, we tend to shy away from asking the first question, especially when you can disappear behind a screen or enter the cone of silence from headphones as soon as you enter a coffee shop, train car or airplane. All of those years of parents telling kids not to talk to strangers … this is what you get.

NOVEL LoSo Station is here to help.

First and foremost, every good conversation needs a topic — and the weather or your CrossFit regimen don’t count. We will immerse our community in conversation starters. Dynamic walls (digital, chalk, etc.) and trained staff will ask provocative questions, highlight trending topics and provide spontaneous “challenges” to help encourage the first step in a great conversation.

We also know that conversations start more easily when you are surrounded by people with similar interests We will curate places and experiences — for example thematic libraries, a maker space with lockers, “Sunday dinners,” shared “pantries,” field trips or a speaker series — that are meant to bring people with similar interests/needs together. These will be built around the things that people love to talk about, food, drink, music, hobbies, etc., to help build connection and conversation.

Through these endeavors, people who are naturally curious will be drawn to this place, and the more outgoing ones will be catalysts for conversation. For those who are just drawn to interesting people and experiences, but a little more introverted, we’re not afraid to cheat a little bit if we have to. We know that a pint or two tend to loosen lips and are part of the authentic culture of LoSo, so local taps will be a familiar site throughout the property.