COMPLIMENTARY COMPETITORS:

New King Arthur cafe competes with Novack (Kira Witkin, October 7, 2011, The Dartmouth)

Other students interviewed by The Dartmouth also said the unique atmospheres of the two locations determine their dining decisions. During a typical afternoon, it is not uncommon to find students at King Arthur Flour reading novels while sitting on the leather chairs with their legs draped over the arm rests. At Novack, however, students said most of their peers sit upright while completing homework assignments or sending emails from their laptop computers.

Anna Franklin '14, who claims King Arthur Flour as a second home, said she comes to the new cafe every morning and evening to study.

"I like sitting here and doing work here better," she said. "I feel like I'm in a cute coffee shop rather than the bottom of the library."

Jonathan Katz '12, however, said he prefers the "social but focused study space" that is Novack. Katz visited King Arthur Flour once but has not returned, he said.

"It was really crowded." Katz said. "It felt too trendy."

The Dartmouth community would benefit from viewing the cafes as collaborators rather than competitors, according to George.

"It's really easy to think of us as competing because obviously we're both selling coffee and we're both in the same space," she said, "But I think -- given that we have different strengths -- we can compliment one another more than being in competition."

Posted by oj at October 7, 2011 7:39 AM
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