It’s not always easy to talk to new people, but Mic Mac Mall says its newly-designated Happy to Chat seating is aiming to change that.
The concept was launched on Thursday in partnership with the Dartmouth Community Health Board and the Canadian Mental Health Association, Nova Scotia Division. Happy to Chat decals will be placed in designated seating areas throughout the shopping centre. When a guest sits in these marked seating areas, it indicates to others that the person is open to striking up a conversation, said the mall.
The Happy to Chat seating areas are launching during Mental Health Week, which touts the 2026 theme, “Come Together, Canada”, encouraging Canadians to connect with their communities. The Mic Mac Mall seating areas are the second iteration for the region, with an earlier set of benches being launched in Birches Park in Dartmouth, and throughout Eastern Passage in 2025, added the mall.
“Life can feel heavy and isolating sometimes,” said Tia Hathaway, Client Experience and Community Engagement Manager, Mic Mac Mall. “Mic Mac Mall has always been a hub for Dartmouth, and we want to help combat the loneliness that some community members may be feeling. We’re honoured to be the region’s newest Happy to Chat location.”
“We first introduced the Happy to Chat Bench Project to Dartmouth in 2019, and we’ve seen great success and community connections since then,” said Monique Mullins-Roberts, Dartmouth Community Health board. “We can’t wait to see everyone chatting, meeting new people and coming together in these seating areas.”
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