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Harvard Crimson

I’ll Say It: Harvard Square Doesn’t Suck

By Mac M. Mertens, Crimson Opinion Writer

Mac M. Mertens ’26, a Crimson Editorial editor, is a Classics and History double concentrator in Mather House.

9 hours ago

Let’s face it, Harvard Square just isn’t what it used to be.

Bowl-based fast food and coffee chains seem to be taking over, with big-box franchises happy to pay the high rent that has been forcing some decades-old Square staples to close. The mom and pop shops that were promised to us by alumni nostalgic for their Harvard days are quickly becoming a memory.

But we shouldn’t fear the change that comes with an expanding Harvard Square. Many of the chain businesses make an often challenging Harvard experience just a little easier. As long as the new additions continue to satisfy the practical needs of Cambridge residents, students actually stand to benefit from this change.

By Cam E. Kettles

Consider, for example, the slew of restaurants where a “bowl” is a menu option. The taqueria trifecta of El Jefe’s, Felipe’s, and Achilito’s offer a convenient, cost-effective solution to post-midnight cravings. Cava is settling in quite nicely along Brattle Street, and Pokeworks has occupied the corner of Church Street and Massachusetts Avenue since 2018.

While these businesses aren’t exactly unique or historic (Felipe’s Taqueria is the sole non-franchised restaurant on this list, and, in my opinion, it shows), they’re invaluable additions to the Square. They promise large portions, hundreds of calories, and relatively low prices compared to the nearby Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage, where the cheapest burger is nearly $15. And it’s much easier to inconspicuously scarf down a bowl of carnitas and refried beans in the back of class or at a library desk than it is to cover your hands in burger grease and sauce trying to overcome the “Masshole” burger.

For the modern Harvard student, convenience is king. Establishments that provide this convenience will thrive at the expense of places that take time and energy away from studying and extracurriculars. There’s a reason why a 24-hour CVS seems to be the most high-traffic area of Harvard Square.

By Cam E. Kettles

The propagation of coffee shops that encircle campus are part of the same story. The JFK Street Starbucks now occupies a prime spot that once belonged to the world’s only Curious George store. We can lament the loss of Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat, but we must admit that the students, faculty, and residents of Cambridge are certainly better served by a coffee shop where they might go daily than a novelty shop where they might go once in their lives.

Is it unfortunate that these franchises occupy spaces that could otherwise be used for a restaurant truly unique to Harvard Square? Yes. But, above everything else, they serve the needs of the hungry, cash-strapped, and sleep-deprived college students who occupy the Square.

Of course, corporate franchises work best in moderation. I wouldn’t want Harvard Square to resemble a shopping mall, nor do students really need that. There should be a healthy mix of the corporate chains that offer low prices and popular products and the small businesses that bring historic charm to the area.

By Cam E. Kettles

Fortunately, the old Harvard Square isn’t lost yet. Many of the iconic staples continue to thrive. I have seldom seen a short line at Pinocchio’s Pizza & Subs on a weekend past midnight or the Harvard Book Store without a crowd of students and tourists. Even the businesses that seem no longer to cater to these residents, like the ever-mysterious tobacco and game shop Leavitt & Peirce, which was established in 1883, appear to be thriving. There is still popular demand for these historic businesses.

The businesses of Harvard Square should do more than simply evoke nostalgia. They should serve their town’s residents, who, in turn, get to decide which businesses succeed. I, for one, am confident that Harvard Square has reached a critical mass of four bubble tea shops. After all, a new one seems to open every year (sometimes in the exact same location).

Change is not a bad thing. Chains are not a bad thing, as long as those chains serve the people of Harvard Square. While every vacant space does not need to be a new HSA Harvard Shop and every new restaurant does not need to be “fun spin on Tex-Mex,” there is no need for the Square to be populated with so many shops as quirky as Harvard students’ interests.

We can’t stop change. Thankfully, in this case, it is serving us well. So the next time you criticize Harvard Square’s commercialization, think: When was the last time you had a Jefe’s bowl?

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Harvard Crimson

Businesses in Harvard Square: What’s New, What’s Gone

By Jaya N. Karamcheti and Kevin Zhong, Crimson Staff Writers

8 hours ago

Since the end of 2024, Harvard Square’s business scene has undergone some major changes — from new businesses opening to long-standing establishments closing their doors. Here’s what’s new and what’s gone in the Square.

Lovestruck Books

Lovestruck Books, an independent bookstore founded by Rachel Kanter, opened in Dec. 2024. The bookstore — located on 44 Brattle St. — sells primarily romance novels. Denise A. Jillson, the executive director of the Harvard Square Business Association, said that the opening of Lovestruck is much to the “fanfare and delight” of Harvard Square.

Blue Pinkham, a media production assistant at the Derek Bok Center’s Learning Lab and a customer at Lovestruck Books, said she enjoyed visiting the new bookshop with her colleagues.

“I’m a big fan of reading, and I heard it was opening up, and there are a few of us in the office who like to read,” Pinkham said. “When it opened up, we took a look around, and it’s super cute.”

“It’s interesting to have something that’s specifically romance-themed,” Pinkham added.

Customers can also buy drinks from Lovestruck’s in-house coffee and wine bar, a partnership between Kanter and George Howell of George Howell Coffee. Howell opened the first of his cafes, the Coffee Connection, in 1975 in Harvard Square — so the relationship between Lovestruck and George Howell Coffee ties together the old and the new of the Harvard Square business world.

“It’s just so much fun that George is still around and making great coffee and great connections and partnerships,” Jillson said. “So he has partnered with Rachel Kanter, the owner of Lovestruck, to bring great coffee into a great bookstore.”

But with new additions in the Square comes the closure of others.

Anthropologie

Clothing store Anthropologie closed in Jan. 2025 after 14 years in the Square. Though the exact reason for their closing is unknown, Jillson said in an interview with Cambridge Day that the chain location’s sales likely dropped.

“It’s never a happy moment when a business closes,” Jillson said in an interview with The Crimson.

Despite this, Jillson is excited to see what becomes of Anthropologie’s location, the Design Research Building on 46 Brattle St. The building, designed by American architect and Harvard Graduate School of Design faculty member Benjamin Thompson, features five stories and glass walls that cause it to appear like a display case.

“It’s such a great space that building — the DR building design research, is a widely acclaimed building here in Harvard Square, architecturally interesting building,” Jillson said.

“So I’m not sure what’s going on, what their next move will be, but we’ll look forward to that,” Jillson added.

Whitney’s

Whitney’s, a dive bar which had called Harvard Square its home for 71 years, closed its doors at the end of Dec. 2024.

Prior to its closing, Whitney’s was involved in a legal battle against its property owner, Mayhaw LLC. Whitney’s said that they were evicted because of noise complaints. Mayhaw LLC, however, accused Whitney’s of failing to pay rent.

Jillson says that the historical significance of Whitney’s makes the closing all the more unfortunate.

“They’ve been here since 1953 — you can’t replace that,” Jillson said. “We were really hoping that there could have been a way to save it. But unfortunately, that has not been successful.”

WGBH

BPR Full Show 1/23: Executive Orders

2:38:33 |

Boston Public Radio Podcast

About The Episode

Chuck Todd on Sean Hannity’s interview with Trump.

Andrea Cabral on the role of the DOJ in carrying out Trump’s first-round of executive orders, and reaction from police groups to his pardoning of J6 rioters.

Phillip Martin & Denise Jillson on a billionaire’s grip on real estate in Harvard Square, off of Phillip’s recent reporting. Denise is Executive Director at the Harvard Square Business Association.

Jon Gruber talked about what’s (likely) to come for Medicaid, Inflation Reduction Act funding and more

Listen: https://www.wgbh.org/podcasts/boston-public-radio/bpr-full-show-1-23-executive-orders

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Huntington News

Chocoholics take over Harvard Square for annual chocolate tasting event

Devyn Rudnick, photo staff

A child smiles in anticipation of a chocolate strawberry as his mom holds a plate of previously acquired chocolate goodies. Plates were given at the start of the line and were piled high with sweet treats by the end of the vendor row.

January 29, 2025

More than 300 chocolate lovers flooded Harvard Square Jan. 25 for the city’s 14th Annual Taste of Chocolate Festival. Hosted by the Harvard Square Business Association, the weekend was promoted as a “three-day chocolate extravaganza,” punctuated by a free and highly anticipated chocolate-tasting Saturday.

Hot chocolate, cookies, ice cream and more greeted a long line of Cambridge visitors in the snow. Local cafes and shops showcased their chocolate products through tasty bite-sized samples that many felt were worth waiting in the cold for.

Despite the chill in the air, the sun appeared, radiating across Harvard Square and drawing people outside.

“I love to do things when it’s daylight, there’s not always enough things in Boston that are outside and sunny during the winter,” said Hannah Dunleavy, a new Brookline resident and avid chocolate lover.

Sweet treats from businesses, including Van Leeuwen Ice CreamHenrietta’s Table and The Painted Burro, lined a narrow walkway as people filed through, happily accepting chocolate goodies handed their way. Transparent, enclosed “igloos” and fire pits sat in the middle of the event, helping to warm people up as they sampled vendors’ offerings.

People from Brookline to Cambridge, young and old, enjoyed their favorite types of chocolate in the many forms they took. 

“This winter, I’ve been on a quest to make getting hot chocolate a thing,” said Aiden Khan, a Boston local. “I think people are too into getting coffee, so I’ve been taking them and other people to get hot chocolate all winter, and there’s some here that I haven’t tried yet.”

Throughout the day, vendors and participants were entertained by the music of Grooversity, a social activism drumming group, and DJ Joey Finnz, dancing off some newly consumed calories.

After all, most attended for “free samples and the allure of many different types of chocolate,” Dunleavy said.

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The Huntington News

Lovestruck Books has heartwarming grand opening in Harvard Square

Eleanor Hardy, news staff

January 27, 2025

Lovestruck Books decorates its exterior with pink, white and magenta balloons. Alongside books, the store set out candy and hosted multiple raffles throughout their opening weekend.

Emily Rodriguez

Lovestruck Books decorates its exterior with pink, white and magenta balloons. Alongside books, the store set out candy and hosted multiple raffles throughout their opening weekend.

Lovestruck Books, Boston’s first brick-and-mortar romance bookstore, opened its doors for three all-day celebrations over Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend. It officially opened in December 2024 at 44 Brattle St. in Cambridge.

The opening festivities Jan. 17 featured a talk by young adult author Chloe Gong, known for her acclaimed Secret Shanghai novels, free George Howell Coffee tastings from its cafe and love-oriented interactive activities. On vibrant pink tables there were craft bracelet stations as part of a collaboration with

“It’s cozy,” said visitor Ruby Barenberg. “I love finding new spaces to chat and sit with friends — places designed for women and people who have similar hobbies.”

Lovestruck specializes in romance and holds prominent historical, young adult and fantasy sections. It also has limited nonfiction and non-romance sections, including a children’s area nestled in its back corner.

“There’s something for everyone here,” said local children’s book author Sarah Jean Horwitz. “It’s very involved.” Horwitz attended a local author panel held virtually by Lovestruck the previous week. Lovestruck plans to host future meet-ups and events designed for emerging local authors, including a Meet Your Local Authors panel scheduled for Feb. 2.

Rachel Kanter founded Lovestruck to “reinvigorate” the lack of inclusive and accessible community spaces lost after the COVID-19 pandemic. The bookstore and cafe is independently woman-owned and operated, mimicking the romance genre’s history — romance literature emerged in the 18th and 19th centuries as the sole genre primarily authored for and by women.

“For so many people, romance is the only area they see women’s stories and pleasure being centered,” Kanter said. A lifelong romance reader, Kanter used to be “self-conscious” about her love for romance literature, a genre often dismissed among academics and in pop culture.

Romance literature reached an all-time high in 2023, emerging as the most popular genre in the United States. This increase in popularity can be attributed to social media usage during the pandemic, which invigorated online book-sharing platforms like “BookTok” on TikTok. Readers hoping to escape the confines of quarantine and seek accessible, fun entertainment turned to romance.

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Broadway World

Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals Names Cynthia Erivo 2025 Woman of the Year

The company will host a celebratory roast for Ms. Erivo on February 5th at 7:00pm, after which she will be presented with her Pudding Pot at Farkas Hall.

By: Stephi Wild Jan. 22, 2025

The Hasty Pudding Theatricals has named Emmy, Tony, Grammy-winning and two-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo as the recipient of its 2025 Woman of the Year Award. 

The Woman of the Year Award is the Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ oldest honor, bestowed annually on performers who have made lasting and impressive contributions to the world of entertainment. Established in 1951, the Woman of the Year Award has been given to many notable and talented entertainers including Meryl StreepJulia RobertsScarlett JohanssonAnne HathawayKerry Washington, and most recently Annette Bening, the 74th Woman of the Year. The Hasty Pudding Theatricals is a program of The Hasty Pudding – Institute of 1770.

The Hasty Pudding Theatricals will host a celebratory roast for Ms. Erivo on February 5th at 7:00pm, after which she will be presented with her Pudding Pot at Farkas Hall, the Hasty Pudding’s historic home in Harvard Square since 1888. A press conference will follow the presentation at 7:20pm. Afterward, Ms. Erivo will attend a performance of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ 176th production, 101 Damnations. 

“We are holding space for Cynthia Erivo’s arrival,” said Man and Woman of the Year Events Coordinator Hannah Frazer, “We’re sweeping out our broomstick closets and prepping some wicked smart humor as we eagerly await her in February. Before she flies off with her Pudding Pot, she’ll have to work a little magic to earn it.” 

Harvard's Hasty Pudding Theatricals Names Cynthia Erivo 2025 Woman of the Year  Image

The Hasty Pudding Theatricals has named Emmy, Tony, Grammy-winning and two-time Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo as the recipient of its 2025 Woman of the Year Award. 

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The Woman of the Year Award is the Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ oldest honor, bestowed annually on performers who have made lasting and impressive contributions to the world of entertainment. Established in 1951, the Woman of the Year Award has been given to many notable and talented entertainers including Meryl StreepJulia RobertsScarlett JohanssonAnne HathawayKerry Washington, and most recently Annette Bening, the 74th Woman of the Year. The Hasty Pudding Theatricals is a program of The Hasty Pudding – Institute of 1770.

The Hasty Pudding Theatricals will host a celebratory roast for Ms. Erivo on February 5th at 7:00pm, after which she will be presented with her Pudding Pot at Farkas Hall, the Hasty Pudding’s historic home in Harvard Square since 1888. A press conference will follow the presentation at 7:20pm. Afterward, Ms. Erivo will attend a performance of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ 176th production, 101 Damnations. 

“We are holding space for Cynthia Erivo’s arrival,” said Man and Woman of the Year Events Coordinator Hannah Frazer, “We’re sweeping out our broomstick closets and prepping some wicked smart humor as we eagerly await her in February. Before she flies off with her Pudding Pot, she’ll have to work a little magic to earn it.” 

“Looks like someone might need to hold Cynthia’s hand—or finger—during this roast,” joked Hasty Pudding Producer Daisy Nussbaum. “That said, we promise not to be as mean as the wizard. By the end, she’ll be the one who’s truly popular with the crowd.”

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WGBH

Closure of a beloved bar in Harvard Square prompts questions about landlord

Phillip Martin

January 21, 2025

In late December, Dan McGuire said goodbye to friends and longtime patrons of Whitneys of Harvard Square, and locked the doors for good.

Whitneys was one of the neighborhood’s oldest establishments, a mainstay on busy John F. Kennedy Street since 1953. McGuire was forced to close after losing an eviction battle with his landlord, billionaire Gerald Chan.

A spokesperson for Chan says McGuire owed some $44,000 in past due rent. But McGuire countered that he withheld rent following a dispute over upgrades to the building’s electricity system.He claims Chan wanted him out because his bar doesn’t fit Chan’s “profile.”

Chan owns about 13 properties in Harvard Square, making him second only to Harvard University when it comes to property ownership in the neighborhood, according to the Harvard Square Business Association. His holdings include 40 Bow St., which he restored and was honored in 2017 with a Cambridge Preservation Award . Chan’s properties also include the long-shuttered Harvard Square Theater, the empty Dickson Bros. hardware store and the restaurant once occupied by Upstairs on the Square, no longer open to the public.

Some community members worry the once-vibrant urban center filled with local shops is losing its character. The city has tried to step in to address the issues of vacant properties and intimidation tactics. Business owners and leaders say problems have accelerated with Chan’s real estate investments; his companies have purchased some $170 million in property since 2012, according to the Harvard Square Business Association.

McGuire said the neighborhood has turned into a “billionaire’s playground.”

“It’s almost like he wants this to be his square — and it is becoming his square,” he said.

Chan was not available to comment for this story. But Dan White, a manager for the real estate investment firm he owns, Mayhaw LLC, said changes in the square are simply a matter of dollars and cents.

“That is the nature of the business,’’ White said.“We want the square to be as vibrant as we can, and we do our best to make that happen.”

read more…

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Harvard Gazette

Cynthia Erivo is Hasty’s Woman of the Year

‘Wicked’ star will receive Pudding Pot on Feb. 5

January 21, 2025 2 min read

“Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo has been named the recipient of the 2025 Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year Award, Hasty Pudding Theatricals announced on Tuesday.

From Erivo’s celebrated performances in the film “Harriet” and Broadway’s “The Color Purple” to her recently critically acclaimed role as Elphaba in Universal’s “Wicked: Part One,” the Pudding is proud to celebrate her truly unique and impactful presence in the world of entertainment, said organizers.

Erivo is a Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award-winning actress, singer, and producer, as well as an Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and SAG nominee. Erivo will guest star in the second season of “Poker Face,” Peacock’s critically acclaimed series starring Natasha Lyonne.

“We are holding space for Cynthia Erivo’s arrival,” said Hannah Frazer, Man and Woman of the Year events coordinator. “We’re sweeping out our broomstick closets and prepping some wicked smart humor as we eagerly await her in February. Before she flies off with her Pudding Pot, she’ll have to work a little magic to earn it.” 

“Looks like someone might need to hold Cynthia’s hand — or finger — during this roast,” joked Hasty Pudding producer Daisy Nussbaum. “That said, we promise not to be as mean as the wizard. By the end, she’ll be the one who’s truly popular with the crowd.”

The Woman of the Year Award is Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ oldest honor, bestowed annually on performers who have made lasting and impressive contributions to the world of entertainment. Established in 1951, the prize has been given to many notable and talented entertainers including Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Scarlett Johansson, Anne Hathaway, Kerry Washington, and most recently Annette Bening, the 74th Woman of the Year. The Hasty Pudding Theatricals is a program of The Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770.

The Hasty Pudding Theatricals will host a celebratory roast for Erivo on Feb. 5 at 7 p.m., after which she will be presented with her Pudding Pot at Farkas Hall, the Hasty Pudding’s historic home in Harvard Square since 1888. A press conference will follow the presentation at 7:20 p.m. Afterward, Erivo will attend a performance of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ 176th production “101 Damnations.” 

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NPR

Sense of Place: This Harvard Square club is a longtime haven for folk musicians

January 21, 2025 1:21 PM ET

By Raina DourisMiguel Perez

Matt Smith, Club Passim’s managing director

George Murphy/WXPN

Cambridge, Mass., is full of grand academic buildings. It’s a place that oozes prestige, grandeur and history.

But nestled in an alley in Harvard Square, down some stairs and so unassuming that you might walk by without even realizing it was there, is a legendary music venue as important as any of Cambridge’s stately halls.

Club Passim has been a sanctuary for folk music for over 60 years. Joan BaezJudy CollinsBob Dylan and arguably any major folk musician you can think of have all performed at this intimate venue.

To kick off our Sense of Place: Boston series, we talked with Club Passim’s managing director, Matt Smith, to find out how this modest club became a cornerstone of Boston’s music scene.

Smith and World Cafe host Raina Douris on the stage of Club Passim.

George Murphy/WXPN