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.

"Customers are able to feel more at ease when they walk in the door, because they're not interrupting an operator doing a large job," she explains.

The small sign taped to the back wall provides an indication of how Welch's employees feel about the store.

Childish handwriting in black marker on a sheet of pink copy paper proclaims: "Gnomon Copy is the best + number ONE." Smiley faces adorn all the o's, and a large heart is drawn in the margin.