In quirky Harvard Square, where small, family-owned operations vie for business with larger chains, no two stores are exactly alike.

But some come awfully close.

Dunkin' Donuts, Starbucks Coffee, Bob Slate Stationers and CVS each have two locations in Harvard Square, and Gnomon Copy has three.

Some store owners say the only thing separating their two stores is a couple of blocks.

Others have found that within the confines of Harvard Square, unique demographics exist, and have composed their stores' selections to reflect that.

Makin' Copies

Despite their similar facades, the three locations of Gnomon Copy in the Square are not in any way connected.

Because the stores are individually franchised, which means each one is under different ownership, each location has developed its own style, customers and specialties.

Jim Petroni, owner of the Gnomon at 1304 Mass. Ave. across from Widener Gate, says it's mainly his location that differentiates him from his competitors.

"Basically we all do the same thing," he says.

But Connie Welch, co-owner of the Gnomon down the street at 1218 Mass. Ave., disagrees.

She says the layout and organization of her store, coupled with her lower prices, have allowed her to remain competitive despite her somewhat unfortunate location--close enough to Petroni's store that their client base overlaps, but a little too far from the center of campus.

Welch charges just four cents per copy for self-service copies, compared to five cents per copy at Petroni's store. The third Gnomon location, at 99 Mt. Auburn St., has no self-service machines but charges 5 cents per copy for full service copying.

But the layout of her store's reception room is what really makes Welch proud.

The production room of her store is separate and completely hidden from view, unlike at the other Gnomon branches.