Opening at 6 a.m., The Works Cafe starts the morning with a bustle of early birds picking up coffee. Throughout the day, and into dinnertime, students, professors and locals camp out at the Main Street hub for grub.
After only one year in business, The Works has become a popular spot for many Hanover residents, according to general manager Elise LeBlanc. To accommodate their customers, The Works has expanded their dining area into the store next door.
Plans to expand the cafe’s seating began in December 2024 when the space next door became available, according to The Works marketing coordinator Caitlin Staffanson. The storefront was previously FatFace, a British clothing brand.
“As our customer base continues to grow, we recognize the importance of providing a more comfortable and inviting environment where guests can enjoy their meals, study, work or gather with friends,” Staffanson wrote in an email statement.
In interviews with The Dartmouth, several students recently expressed enthusiasm about the new space. Tierra Kazenoff ’28 said she hopes the new seating will accommodate the popularity of the cafe.
“I can see myself studying there at some time this term with my friends,” Kazenoff said.
Anne McGrath GR, said she feels more inclined to go to The Works because of the new space.
“I think that the original space used to get really crowded, so I would usually choose a different cafe,” McGrath. “But I feel like this is nice because I know there’ll always be a spot here.”
In turn, LeBlanc said that the bigger space has drawn more customers.
“We have definitely seen an increase in popularity of the new space, and gotten a lot of compliments,” she said.
In the future, The Works hopes to implement several new “innovative enhancements” including self-service kiosks, reservable conference tables for meetings, private event space and a grab-and-go cooler containing pre-made sandwiches, salads and snack packs, Staffanson said.
“Ultimately, our goal is to provide a welcoming and comfortable environment where customers can dine, work or gather with friends while enjoying the high-quality food and beverages we are known for,” Staffanson said.
