On the T is a continuing feature about Greater Boston neighborhoods along the five lines of the T. The dedicated members of the Daily Features Department will fill up their Charlie Cards and be your guides to the vast expanses of Boston (or the ones easily accessible to you by subway).
Most Walnut Hill residents have been frequenters of Davis Square for about as long as they've been students at Tufts. While Jumbos will always be drawn to traditions like the Somerville Theater, Mr. Crepe and J.P. Licks, Davis has recently seen some changes.
One addition that has not gone overlooked is the up−and−coming restaurant Foundry on Elm (255 Elm St.), a very new kid on the block, having opened just five weeks ago.
Co−owner and general manager David Flanagan explained that Foundry on Elm is what he calls a "browsery" restaurant, or, in laymen's terms, one with a cheap menu (there are only three or four dishes above $20). It's also locally supplied "from farm to table," he said.
"The goal of Foundry on Elm was to create a menu that would accommodate all budgets, and it's been packed every night with all kinds of customers, from families to college students, because of it," Flanagan said.
Quite obviously, the affordability has made the Foundry a popular venue for Tufts students of age.
Another change around Davis, related to the opening of the Foundry, according to Flanagan, is increased visitation from Cambridge, Belmont and other areas.
Junior Judah Gruen agreed, noting that what's changed most about Davis is the "scene," in his words.
"Davis Square's changed a lot lately. It's become a bit more ‘yuppie' and also somewhat nicer, but it's still not as commercialized as Harvard Square," he said.
The newcomers have also begun to eat and shop within the area, which is good for local businesses, Flanagan said.
Junior Matt Davis explained that this new clientele has a lot to do with the new feel of the area.
"It looks like it's been getting a little younger, maybe a little more hipster. I've felt safer there recently, [more so] than I did my freshman year. If it's changed at all to the more yuppie side, it's been because there are more independent, nicer restaurants, like the Foundry and Pizzeria Posto, which attract a different crowd. It seems like the addition of those types of place has evolved the space," he said.
Of course the busy, but not completely urban, environment of Davis Square, as well as its proximity, is what keeps Tufts students going back to Davis. And even with the addition of a new set of eateries, Jumbos still stay true to favorites like Starbucks or its chic alternative, Diesel Café, both of which are still open and popular as ever.
In fact, some students find that even with the opening of new restaurants and stores, Davis Square has not changed much on the whole.
"There have been a couple new additions since I've been here, but overall it seems like Davis has presented the same general atmosphere since I've been at Tufts," senior Will Merrow said.
More importantly, Davis said, the community still preserves the customs and events that make it unique.
"You still have the Honk! festival going on; the same things are happening, just the people in Davis represent a different slice of the community. It's still indie and hippie, it's just maybe become a little bit more expensive. I don't think Davis Square can change that much when you have something like Tufts University right near it," he said.
But even for those who do consider Davis a changing place, tradition and addition don't always clash, and one particular Tufts party ritual has improved thanks to Davis' newcomer shops: costumes.
With Halloween around the corner, a costume shop temporarily occupies the storefront that was once home to Poor Little Rich Girl. But the myriad second−hand stores that keep getting better and better each year suffice if you're looking for something a little more off the beaten path than a full Power Ranger suit. Between Buffalo Exchange, Goodwill, Artifaktori and La Chic Boutique, you're bound to find something for even the wildest Tufts theme parties.
