HDS Turns Up the Heat

Starting next week, freshly squeezed fruit juices and smoothies will be available in Loker Commons, according to David P. Davidson, associate director of Harvard Dining Services (HDS).

Cafe Gaia will officially open on Nov. 9, but hopes to begin doling out offerings like beet, carrot and celery juice as early as Nov. 5.

"We're hoping that the juice bar, which is a hot item these days, will meet the needs of students and will bring more students into Loker," Davidson said.

The Cafe, which is named for the Greek goddess of the Earth, will serve smoothies such as the Cape Crimson, a blend of cranberry, strawberry and grape juices with honey. It will also feature fresh squeezed juices, lemonade and limeade.

The juice bar will share the counter in the coffeehouse with Starbucks Coffee and will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Fridays, according to Davidson.

The idea for the juice bar came from a visit toStanford University, where Jamba Juice, a WestCoast juice and smoothie chain, has a successfulstore on campus, Davidson said.

HDS originally approached Jamba Juice aboutcoming to Harvard but the company did not acceptthe offer.

"They're a West Coast company...and at thistime they didn't have the infrastructure in placeto come to the East Coast," he said.

Jamba Juice has been at Stanford since April1997, according to its public-relations firm.

Sal Farulla, a manager at The Wrap & SmoothieJoint on Mount Auburn St., thinks that Cafe Gaiawill increase the demand for smoothies in thisarea.

"I think it would educate people aboutsmoothies," he said.

But Farulla said he wasn't concerned aboutcompetition from Cafe Gaia.

"Even if there was a place two doors down, somepeople would like that better," he said.

The Wrap's customer base doesn't include asmany Harvard students as managers would like, andis "mostly professionals," Farulla said.

He acknowledged the advantage that Cafe Gaiawill have over The Wrap. "People that come therewill be there specifically for smoothies," hesaid. "Here, we try to get someone who's buying awrap to buy a smoothie."

The secret to selling smoothies, according toFarulla, is all in the weather. He said this couldbe a disadvantage for Cafe Gaia.

"In winter time? For fruit drinks? Unless youcan find a way to serve them hot," he said with asmile.

According to a preliminary menu released byHDS, Cafe Gaia's smoothies prices will be higherthan The Wrap's. Cafe Gaia will sell 20-ouncesmoothies for $3.95, while The Wrap offers20-ounce smoothies for $3.48.

Like all other campus restaurants, Cafe Gaiawill accept both Board Plus and Crimson Cash.

Both stores offer to add vitamins to theirdrinks. Cafe Gaia will provide "Boosters" likecalcium, soy protein and gingko bilboa to asmoothie. The Wrap's additives--called"Purposes"--include lecithin, wheat germ and oatbran.

While The Wrap offers one free Purpose withevery 20-ounce smoothie, and additional ones at 50cents each, Cafe Gaia will charge 50 cents foreach Booster, including the first

The idea for the juice bar came from a visit toStanford University, where Jamba Juice, a WestCoast juice and smoothie chain, has a successfulstore on campus, Davidson said.

HDS originally approached Jamba Juice aboutcoming to Harvard but the company did not acceptthe offer.

"They're a West Coast company...and at thistime they didn't have the infrastructure in placeto come to the East Coast," he said.

Jamba Juice has been at Stanford since April1997, according to its public-relations firm.

Sal Farulla, a manager at The Wrap & SmoothieJoint on Mount Auburn St., thinks that Cafe Gaiawill increase the demand for smoothies in thisarea.

"I think it would educate people aboutsmoothies," he said.

But Farulla said he wasn't concerned aboutcompetition from Cafe Gaia.

"Even if there was a place two doors down, somepeople would like that better," he said.

The Wrap's customer base doesn't include asmany Harvard students as managers would like, andis "mostly professionals," Farulla said.

He acknowledged the advantage that Cafe Gaiawill have over The Wrap. "People that come therewill be there specifically for smoothies," hesaid. "Here, we try to get someone who's buying awrap to buy a smoothie."

The secret to selling smoothies, according toFarulla, is all in the weather. He said this couldbe a disadvantage for Cafe Gaia.

"In winter time? For fruit drinks? Unless youcan find a way to serve them hot," he said with asmile.

According to a preliminary menu released byHDS, Cafe Gaia's smoothies prices will be higherthan The Wrap's. Cafe Gaia will sell 20-ouncesmoothies for $3.95, while The Wrap offers20-ounce smoothies for $3.48.

Like all other campus restaurants, Cafe Gaiawill accept both Board Plus and Crimson Cash.

Both stores offer to add vitamins to theirdrinks. Cafe Gaia will provide "Boosters" likecalcium, soy protein and gingko bilboa to asmoothie. The Wrap's additives--called"Purposes"--include lecithin, wheat germ and oatbran.

While The Wrap offers one free Purpose withevery 20-ounce smoothie, and additional ones at 50cents each, Cafe Gaia will charge 50 cents foreach Booster, including the first