The Beginning

All good investigations begin with a question. My question, as a sweet-toothed student of Princeton University, was this: Why are there so many different ice cream shop within walking distance of each other in this town? 

Along Nassau Street and Palmer Square there are 5 places that primarily sell ice cream or frozen yogurt: Twist, The Bent Spoon, Halo Pub, Fruity Yogurt, and Thomas Sweet. Although I haven't taken an Economics course here yet, I still recognize that these places are in direct competition for the hearts and stomachs of this town's ice cream lovers. So how do they all survive and thrive? What does each offer that the others don't? Is it possible for all of them to coexist peacefully, or will some inevitably melt under the pressure of the market?

This curiosity led me to the project you are reading about right now: an ice cream tour of Princeton, hitting all of the above places with the intent of perhaps understanding the unique appeals of each.

Well, that and the juvenile dream of eating all the ice cream I wanted without my parents telling me not to.

The IC-Team! From Left to Right: Evan C., Frank, Clement, Christie, Michelle, Evan M., James, Me (Matt) and Ryan

So I rounded up a motley crew of hungry students on a sunny afternoon for a gastronomic gallivant and the results speak for themselves. Enjoy our thoughts about our experiences :perhaps they will inspire you to experience some of these places yourself!