Homecoming is a time of celebration for both current students and returning alumni, all of whom will need places to eat, drink and be merry this weekend. In response to greater demand, Hanover stores, restaurants and hotels are preparing for traditional festivities, the influx of alumni, and increased sales during a busy Homecoming weekend, according to business owners interviewed by the Dartmouth.
Business "maxes out" during Homecoming, since "alumni want to eat what they had when they were here," according to Toby Fried, owner of Lou's Restaurant. To accommodate such demands, the restaurant's kitchen staff will increase production of hot cocoa, apple cider and donuts and employees will set up a street-side stand to sell baked goods, Fried said. Homecoming is typically busier than Winter Carnival and Green Key because more alumni return to Hanover for the fall event, Fried said. Everything But Anchovies owner Maureen Bogosian estimated that business usually triples during Homecoming, "Historically, it's one of the busier weekends of the year," Bogosian said. "It's all hands on deck." During the weekend, EBAs plans to triple the amount of food in stock and to double the number of staff members working during peak hours, Bogosian said. The Dartmouth Co-op also expects to see sales double or triple during each of the big weekends, store manager Paul Brouchard said. The store plans to restock inventory, keep the store open past normal hours and increase staff during the weekend, according to Brouchard. Stinson's Village Store sees a "huge" increase in sales during Homecoming weekend, specifically of ping-pong paddles, balls, glowsticks and Keystone beer, according to store owner Jack Stinson. "It's basically the same kind of atmosphere as always," Stinson said. "There's lots of excitement and a lots of tradition." In contrast, Murphy's on the Green owner Nigel Leeming said that although restaurant activity rises during Homecoming, he has not noticed a huge increase in business in past years. "It's a busier weekend but this town is already hopping so it's not much of a change in that respect," Leeming said. In past years, the increase in business has been noticeable but not significantly different compared to normal restaurant activity, according Canoe Club owner John Chapin. "It's hard to really know exactly how much of the spike in sales comes from Homecoming and how much is the naturally vibrant October business, but there's definitely some uptick attributable to Homecoming," Chapin said. Hanover's Six South Street Hotel, which opened in Febuary, will welcome guests on Homecoming weekend for the first time, according to hotel general manager Don Bruce. The hotel will be at full occupancy over Homecoming and will increase inventory of items in its lounge, restaurant and bar, Bruce said. "There will be pretty heavy activity," Bruce said. "A lot of people will be frequenting our bar and restaurant."
Although the hotel will be prepared to handle the increase in business this weekend, the surge in business during Green Key last spring came as "a bit of a surprise." "We didn't know it was going to have an impact on our hotel," Bruce said. "We were naive, being the new kid on the block. This time, we're putting our best foot forward since we want them to come back in future years." Despite the festive nature of Homecoming, store managers and owners worry about the increase in underage drinking, Stinson said. Stinson said he is concerned about underage students purchasing alcohol during the weekend, since it creates a big liability for the store. During last year's Homecoming, five state inspectors examined the store's adherence to state liquor laws, he said. "We're pretty good at identifying fake IDs but [customers] picking up the beer with underage people in the car is a big liability," he said. "We're really concerned about that. You can't have little mistakes since little mistakes can turn into big problems."
Murphy's employees plan to strictly adhere to alcohol laws and will "keep on guard against the upbeat nature of the weekend," Leeming said. Despite these concerns, most store owners said they were excited about the influx of business and the vibrant atmosphere that Homecoming brings to Hanover. "People that come back are the kids that were here 20 years ago," Stinson said. "It's fantastic to see them." Store owners said they enjoy all of the College-sponsored traditional evens, including the parade, football game and bonfire. "I love the bonfire," Fried said. It's something from the old days. You just don't see them anymore."
