Inkwell Coffee Opens in Town

By LOGAN BECKERLE, EVAN CHEN, ADELLE PITTS, GRACE YANG

On a brisk winter morning, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafts through downtown Exeter, mingling with the faint hum of passing cars and the chatter of pedestrians. Just steps from the popular OBA Noodle Bar, Inkwell Cafe has quickly carved out a place for itself, replacing the old cinema, and drawing in curious patrons with its promise of comfort and community. Since opening its doors after Christmas, this new addition to Exeter’s cafe scene has already captured the hearts – and taste buds – of many locals and Exonians.

“I passed by Inkwell before opening and decided to visit after some of my friends recommended it,” upper Tiffany Sun shared. “The atmosphere was very peaceful, the cafe was very spacious, and I didn’t feel overstimulated compared to other cafes in town,” she said. 

Inkwell’s design seems to cater perfectly to the needs of its clientele, offering a calm yet vibrant space where students and others alike can concentrate. With bar seating that faces the window and offers a scenic view of downtown, ample outlets for devices, and free Wi-Fi, it’s a haven for productivity. 

Prep Anna Osadchaya described, “It has a very different vibe to it. Whereas the other coffee shops are a lot more small-town, more cute, cozy little spots, and not meant for as many people, Inkwell feels a lot more come and go and a lot more city-like.”

“It overlooks the river, and the space is really cute,” said lower Ari Lee. “But it’s still kind of under construction because you have to go down a passageway to actually get to the coffee shop. It looks a little bit unfinished, but I think it’ll be really nice in the spring.”

Lower Claire Xiao appreciated the thoughtful atmosphere but noted, “Although it helps people to focus, as your computer faces everyone else, when I visited, it was a little too loud for my liking, and a little distractive.” 

Despite its calm design, Inkwell often buzzes with life. The cafe has quickly gained a reputation for being a go-to spot in town, drawing both locals and students. “I visited before meditation on Wednesday, when I had a free block, so it wasn’t as busy,” Sun shared. “But as advisory started, many advisors brought their advisees there, and the room started to fill up.”

Prep Rezi Ifowodo, already a frequent visitor, also endorsed Inkwell. “I would a hundred percent recommend it. I love the atmosphere, and I love that they have certain areas designated for working,” she said. 

“Inkwell offered many drinks that we usually see at cafes, like macchiatos and americanos, but the pricing was noticeably cheaper,” Xiao observed. As the pricing comforted the wallets of some students, others found the pricing of drinks on the higher end. “The prices are a dollar too high in my opinion,” lower Hamdan Khan shared.

“I think it’s slightly more expensive than D Squared, but it’s definitely cheaper than Laney’s. The pastries are really good, which made up for the expense,” Sun summarized. 

The diversity of drinks pleased Exonians’ appetites. Ranging from coffees to matcha to energy drinks, Inkwell has something for everyone. “I ordered a lemon berry blitz, which was lemon and raspberry juice with Red Bull,” Khan shared. “They had many options, and it was nice to try something new.”

Lee added, “I heard from someone in my advisory that their evergreen matcha is really, really good. I don’t wanna compare, but it’s so much better than D Squared because it has a mintiness to it, and when you mix the top and the bottom part, it’s sweet and basically perfect. I would definitely recommend it.”

Beyond its aesthetic appeal and affordability, Inkwell prides itself on the quality of its offerings.  With nice chairs and sleek furniture, the cafe wishes to please its visitors further through carefully crafted drinks. Keeping consistency in mind, Inkwell’s employees are hard at work, paying attention to the details they execute in crafting their coffee drinks and food items. According to Inkwell owner James Anan, “We are always looking for ways to stay current with the coffee industry trends so we can offer what’s next and best to our customers.” Students can look forward and keep an eye out for more up-and-coming beverages.

Inkwell workers greet clients with a warm smile and sincere service. Many students reflected on their pleasant interactions with the baristas, but they also raised an important point. “I think if they hired more baristas, the wait time would decrease since they’re so busy, but it’ll definitely get better since they just opened the store,” Sun observed.

Not only does Inkwell hope to foster a cozy environment for its consumers, but even more, “one of our core values is building community, not just selling coffee,” shared Anan. After all, a successful business doesn’t just count on its earnings, but its local community that they can rely on returning for yet another delicious beverage. 

Xiao echoed this sentiment. “Inkwell fits really well in Exeter’s community because it’s similar to a job hub, they always have job interviews.”

“When I visited Inkwell, I saw our Exonians comfortably setting up their belongings in the cafe, which I think really reflects how welcoming and comfortable the store really is.” Khan recalled.

People around campus might not necessarily feel a need for another coffee shop downtown, but Anan feels differently. “Every small business has their special niche to add to a community,” Anan noted. “As far as our product offerings, we have focused on consistency in the high quality of the ingredients we use, as well as the attention to detail we execute in crafting our coffee drinks and food items.”

The Exeter community seems to agree with this sentiment, as evidenced by Anan’s positive experiences. “We opened the day after Christmas and were pleasantly surprised by the number of people who came into the shop! Overall, we are pleased with how word is getting out, and every day new people are finding us. We have also seen a steady return customer base.”