Archives: Media Room

Oct 22, 2025

Phil Tenser

Digital Media Manager

Cambridge businesses are facing a 22% increase in commercial property tax rates, a sharp rise that small business advocates say threatens their survival, according to discussions at a Monday Cambridge City Council meeting.

“We ultimately make decisions about the overall operating budget, and then, as part of that budget, we are setting where the revenues end up landing,” Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang told the City Council. “A lot of that, given the economic conditions, is landing on the tax levy, which is why, over these last cycles, we were seeing the tax levy increase higher than the budget increase.”

Huang said the increase is necessary to fund the budget approved in June, which included a 3.8% operating budget growth that resulted in an 8% tax levy increase. Huang told the council that even with zero budget growth, contractual obligations, inflation and health insurance costs would still require revenue increases.

“The proposed 22% hike more than doubles last year’s already drastic increase,” Kieran Kelly, associate director of Cambridge Local First, said during Monday’s City Council meeting. “The city attributes this to declining office and lab values, but raising rates at precisely the moment when these sectors are struggling burdens where resilience is weakest, penalizing small businesses for economic trends that are beyond their control.”

Cambridge businesses already pay an unusually high share of the city’s tax burden, with a 66% commercial and 34% residential split that exceeds neighboring communities, Kelly said. Boston draws only 58% of its property taxes from commercial sources, while other nearby municipalities collect even less from businesses, according to Kelly’s testimony.

“Our businesses are not asking for special treatment, just fairness and a seat at the table,” Kelly said.

Denise Jilson, executive director of the Harvard Square Business Association, acknowledged that the tax rates for fiscal year 2026 are “probably locked in” and urged the council to engage more closely with the business community as it develops the fiscal year 2027 budget.

“I can’t imagine having another year, next year, the way we’ve had this year,” Jilson said.

Vice Mayor Marc McGovern pointed to the city’s extensive services, including free after-school programs and transportation that other communities don’t provide, as examples of what tax revenues support.

“We do a lot of incredibly wonderful things in this city that people, I think, over the last 40 years have grown to expect and take for granted,” McGovern said in the meeting. “And now, they don’t realize that these things cost money and where that money comes from.”

“These are good moments for us, once we understand where the rates land, to have a conversation about the budget and to ensure that we continue to get input and engagement, especially as we move into the next budget process,” Huang said.

By Iselin Bratz

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Marc LevyShoppers pass by Petali in Cambridge’s Harvard Square on June 3. Business owners say they are concerned about property taxes being passed along in the form of higher rents.

After weeks of debate, a 22 percent commercial property tax rate increase was approved unanimously Monday by Cambridge’s City Council.

The increase raises the commercial tax rate to $14.07 per every $1,000 in assessed property value, up from $11.52. A residential increase of 5 percent was also approved, with homeowners and others to be charged $6.67 per every $1,000 of their property’s assessed value, up from $6.35.

The decision followed a two-week delay initiated by councillor Paul Toner to allow time for outreach to business owners upset by the increase. Even with the jump, Cambridge’s rate remains lower than nearby cities such as Brookline, Newton and Somerville. But Cambridge businesses “shoulder an unusually high share of the tax burden” too, said Kieran Kelly, associate director of Cambridge Local First, an organization representing more than 400 small businesses in the city. “The current 66 percent commercial and 34 percent residential split far exceeds nearby cities.”

Small-business owners remain concerned about the impact the increases will have, including if landlords pass along higher rents in response to the new rates.

“Raising rates at precisely the moment when these sectors are struggling adds burden where resilience is weakest, penalizes small businesses for economic trends that are beyond their control,” Kelly said.

City staff met with business owners over the past couple of weeks to hear concerns, and business groups wanted that to continue – perhaps quarterly, Kelly said. City staff agreed to hold meetings with business groups to ensure transparency ahead of the process for the 2027 fiscal year, with details expected to become clearer in the coming months.

Claire Spinner, assistant city manager for fiscal affairs, clarified that the 22 percent commercial rate increase does not mean a 22 percent budget spike, as many business’ assessed property values will be lower this year. The increase in commercial tax rate “is not because we were looking for 22 percent more revenue. It was just that intersection of needing to raise 8 percent more and what happened to values within the class,” Spinner said.

Making a connection clear

The increases go to pay for the city budget approved in June – a $991.2 million budget that was only 3.7 percent higher than last year’s, or around half what the city was seeing a few years ago. Speakers during public comment said there should have been clearer announcements earlier, when the budget was first proposed.

Residents said there could be more transparency around the budget process in general. Heather Hoffman, a Hurley Street resident, said many people do not understand the connection between the budget and tax rates.

“I am well aware that you did, in fact, signal that this kind of increase was coming months ago,” Hoffman told city staff. “But people are human, and people don’t necessarily hear that … even people who are very intelligent, who are not scared of numbers, don’t necessarily understand how the city’s budget works.”

Impossible suggestions

There were suggestions Monday for an even further delay in adopting the rates, with the city using the time to conduct an economic impact assessment, but officials said the revenue is needed immediately to fund a fiscal year that is well underway.

Some community members also called for different tax rates for large commercial properties and small businesses. Under state law, the city cannot set different rates for small and large businesses, only by class such as residential and commercial, city manager Yi-An Huang said.

In addition, “the taxes are not on small businesses, they’re on commercial property, and so there is an indirect nature to this that makes it a little bit harder to do some of that targeting,” Huang said. “How do we insulate small businesses from taxes? They’re not actually the ones that are being taxed.” (Vice mayor Marc McGovern also urged property owners not to raise rents if it would create hardship unnecessarily. “The property owners have a hell of a lot more money than the person who’s running the little frozen yogurt store. No, they’re not forced to pass this on, or at least all of it,” he said. “Be part of the solution.”)

Cuts to services

Councillors said they’d work toward including more commercial data and clearer explanations in future materials. In the meantime, “I want to alert the public that today’s the day they need to start paying attention,” Toner said. “I don’t want anybody living in a fantasy world that there’s not going to be a tax increase, short of major cuts.”

Holding taxes flat would require cutting services, councillors said, noting that Cambridge offers more programs and services than most cities – programs residents have grown accustomed to.

“Where are we talking about cutting? Are we talking about cutting the public schools budget? Okay, where do you want to make those cuts? Public safety is a big part of our budget – where do you want to cut in public safety?” McGovern said. “It’s really easy to talk about being more fiscally responsible until you actually have to make the decision.”

Reducing commercial rates now would mean raising residential taxes or cutting programs midyear, both “unacceptable,” councillor Patty Nolan said.

Budget cycle

Councillors emphasized that Monday’s vote was not about the overall budget, and that any budget reconsiderations would have to occur in the next cycle. That now begins in December, Nolan said, a change from a few years ago when the council began looking at budgeting in the spring, just ahead of needing to vote. 

There will be “conversations about how we can work smarter, because we are going to have to do that in order to avoid this kind of rate increase next year,” Nolan said. 

Commercial development policies should also be revisited before the next budget cycle, councillor Burhan Azeem said.

“There was a lot done in prior administrations to make sure we did have healthy commercial growth, and I think that’s always a tough conversation, because new jobs mean more people want to live here,” Azeem said. “But I think that’s something I’d be excited to revisit.”

Cambridge City Council meetings are held at Cambridge City Hall, which is located in Central Square. The Council voted Monday on property tax increases. By Frank S. Zhou

By Shawn A. Boehmer and Mackenzie L. Boucher, Crimson Staff Writers

Yesterday

The Cambridge City Council unanimously voted on Monday to raise property taxes by eight percent for fiscal year 2026 — including a 22 percent increase on commercial property taxes — to the chagrin of many residents and business owners.

The tax rate also includes a five percent increase on residential property taxes, leading to a smaller rate of total growth across residential and commercial property tax rates compared to the increase in fiscal year 25, according to a report by City Manager Yi-An Huang ’05.

But this year’s commercial property tax growth is more than double the increase the Council passed for fiscal year 25, raising concern from business owners. Councilors defended the tax increase on Monday, saying tax increases are necessary to avoid budget cuts.

Councilor Paul F. Toner said it is difficult to keep taxes low while also providing services many Cambridge residents depend on — like emergency response teams, universal pre-k, and new school facilities.

“If people are serious about saying they don’t want to pay increases in taxes, then they need to understand that there’s going to come a day when we have to say we’re going to have to start making some cuts,” Toner said.

But Vice Mayor Marc C. McGovern said that it will be difficult to find places to trim the budget.

“I just want to point out the school budget is 30 percent of the city’s budget. So where are we talking about cutting? We’re talking about cutting this public schools budget,” McGovern said. “Public safety is a big part of our budget. Okay? Where do you want to cut in public safety?”

The budget has been a point of constant tension for the Council this year, as members struggled to fund new programs amid the slowest budget growth the city has seen in a decade.

Business owners criticized the Council over a lack of communication about the tax rate, especially with a large commercial tax increase that directly affects them.

Denise A. Jillson, the executive director of the Harvard Square Business Association, expressed “disappointment and frustration” on behalf of Cambridge business owners. She said many were blindsided by the commercial increase, only learning about it hours ahead of the Council’s first scheduled special meeting on the tax rate.

Jillson immediately raised concern about the proposed rate after learning about it, sending an urgent message to HSBA members informing them of the proposed increase and urging them to weigh in during public comment at the meeting.

“If approved, the commercial tax rate will see a 22% increase that will find its way to our retailers, restauranteurs, hotels, etc. and ultimately, the consumer,” Jillson wrote.

During Monday’s meeting, Jillson said she hopes to see more communication from the Council in future budget discussions.

“What we’re asking as we move forward into the development of the FY27 budget is that you have continued engagement and communication with the Council and that we meet frequently, particularly as the budget process unfolds,” Jillson said. “We could have done that, and probably should have done more of that last time around. And I don’t think any one of us anticipated this kind of a burden.”

McGovern said he believes that the increased property taxes do not have to be felt by tenants.

“They’re concerned about passing these expenses on to their tenants, and they’re afraid that their tenants might leave and then they’ll have a vacancy. Well, don’t pass it on, right?” McGovern said.

Councilor Patricia M. “Patty” Nolan ’80 said a main priority for fiscal year 2026 is keeping residential tax rates low and livable. She also pointed out that many businesses will not see a dollar amount change in taxes.

“Their taxes aren’t even going up in dollar terms because their valuation went down so much that a 22 percent raise in the rate has meant that their actual bill is very similar to what it was last year,” Nolan said.

On the other hand, if if valuation goes up, Nolan said, the tax increase could be detrimental to Cambridge businesses.

“It means that their actual dollars being paid is more than 22 percent. It could be as high as 27 or 30 percent for a few properties, and that is something very challenging for people to sustain,” she said.

—Staff writer Shawn A. Boehmer can be reached at shawn.boehmer@thecrimson.com. Follow him on X @ShawnBoehmer.

—Staff writer Mackenzie L. Boucher can be reached at mackenzie.boucher@thecrimson.com.

By Spencer Buell Globe Staff,Updated October 21, 2025, 3:23 p.m.

CAMBRIDGE — Sunny skies and crisp fall air brought huge crowds here for the Head of the Charles Regatta, which can make for one of the city’s busiest weekends. At local coffee shops, lines stretched up the sidewalk. Restaurants were packed. Hotels, booked. Business, good.

But storm clouds were approaching. The City Council on Monday voted to raise the city’s commercial property tax rate by a startling 22 percent, a move that will hit many smaller businesses hard and put new pressure on a wealthy city accustomed to boom times to rethink either its generous spending, or who it asks to pay for it.

“I think we’re going to have to have challenging conversations going forward,” said Marc McGovern, a city councilor, at the meeting. “There may be a little pain we haven’t felt here in 40 years.”

By Autumn Swiers Oct. 17, 2025 10:00 am EST

Rick Friedman/Getty Images
Despite never owning a restaurant herself, Julia Child built a transcendental career in the food world — and patronized her own favorite restaurants off-screen. Harvest in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was no doubt one of her most beloved restaurants. At Harvest, the legendary chef was known to sit at the same table every time she visited. According to a Facebook post by Boston Magazine, Harvest restaurant has dedicated Table 102 to Child, a cozy, secluded spot lovingly titled “Julia’s Corner” in her honor.

Harvest is located in the Harvard Square area at 44 Brattle St., a convenient seven-minute drive from Child’s longtime residence at 103 Irving Street on Professor’s Row. The chef and her husband moved into the five-bedroom home in 1961, where she would live and film three television shows over the next 40 years until 2001. Outside, Harvest juts up against a cobblestone pathway, somewhat obscured from view. Inside, earth tones, dark wood accents, and a fireplace set a cozy, inviting scene befitting the vibe of the “French Chef” star’s own television shows.

Harvest is an upscale contemporary American dining concept showcasing rotating seasonal menus and locally-sourced ingredients. The menu even features a nod to the famed chef — the Julia Burger — which comprises beef from Savenor’s Butchery, baby watercress, a brandy caramelized onion marmalade, and creamy, crumbly, rich French Boursin cheese. The offering appears on the lunch menu for $25.

As the stars of the show, these bagels have to make a good impression

PopUp Bagels

Bagels, $$

1440 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02138

Open daily 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Already a fixture in Somerville and Seaport, the social-media famous — or as they would say, “known” — franchise PopUp Bagels has opened a new location in the heart of Harvard Square, just a minute’s walk away from the Harvard T Station. 

Originally made in a “backyard pickup window” store founded by Adam Goldberg and Jeff Lewis during the COVID-19 pandemic, the bagels quickly became a neighborhood favorite. Their success in New York City in 2022 and 2023 led to a Seaport debut in February 2025, followed by a second shop in Somerville in July 2025.

PopUp Bagels serves freshly toasted bagels in batches of three, six, or twelve, along with a rotating set of schmears; this week, they partnered with Kraft Mac & Cheese to create “Mac & Cream Cheese.” Available bagel varieties include plain, salt, sesame, poppy, and everything, while regular schmears include cream cheese, scallion cream cheese, and butter.

The Tech was invited to participate in a VIP bagel drop. Here’s what we thought.

Bagels

As the stars of the show, these bagels have to make a good impression — and they did! While we found them to be on the saltier side (especially the everything bagel), they weren’t to the point of being unpleasant. Even though they were delivered, the bagels were still warm and fresh, which was a major plus.

There was a large contrast between the fluffiness of the inside and the hardness of the outside. At times, the bagels were difficult to cut because of their tough exterior. On the bright side, the firmness of the crust paired nicely with the light interior, the latter of which set these bagels apart from their competition. 

Out of the different types of bagels we were offered (plain, salt, sesame, everything), we loved plain and sesame the most. The plain bagel is always a classic, and it was the best out of all the bagels in terms of saltiness. The sesame bagel offered a really satisfying crunch to match the chewy, fluffy interior; the lightly toasted sesame seeds also added a light aroma that made this bagel particularly appealing. 

The everything bagel was salty as aforementioned, and it had so many poppy seeds that we almost confused it for a poppy bagel. However, the taste and texture were still appealing. Finally, the salt bagel was about just as salty as the everything bagel, but given that it’s named a salt bagel, this bagel ranks a little higher for us. 

Schmears

Of the three schmears we received (plain cream cheese, scallion cream cheese, and butter), our favorite was by far the scallion cream cheese. Both cream cheeses were smooth, creamy, and easy to spread, but the scallions added a sharpness that paired incredibly well with the bagels. As for the butter, we found that it had a strong milky flavor that clashed with the bagels themselves. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to try any of their specialty schmears, but we suggest stopping by to sample them yourself!

Overall

Compared to the existing Seaport location, there doesn’t seem to be much of a difference in the quality of bagels; they seem just as good. Since we got our bagels delivered, we can’t comment on the ambience or in-store experience at the Harvard Square spot, so you’ll have to check it out on your own. If the service is anything like their bagels, though, it’s bound to be satisfying! And although we can’t make any guarantees, if the setup is similar to the Seaport store, you’ll be able to get some aesthetic photos too.

Claire Chung

10.16.25: Down by the River, Arts

It’s 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, and the Square is bustling with people proudly holding distinctive brown bags and sporting hats that read, “Not Famous, But Known.” Music pulses from speakers, mixing with the chatter of Harvard students and curious passersby who turn their heads to get a glimpse of the unfamiliar storefront. A DJ bops his head up and down to the beat as he mixes, smiling behind his set. The smell of freshly baked bagels floats through the air, an open invitation on the brisk fall morning. 

I move towards the door as eager as every other customer to get my hands on a freshly baked and controversially unsliced bagel. The occasion? Grip, Rip and Dip®. PopUp Bagels, the bagel and schmear shop that has gone viral for its menu and branding, has made its new home right here in Harvard Square and received a warm welcome. 

PopUp Bagels is unique for its weekly rotating menu and style of serving bagels. Rather than having the same selection of schmears, PopUp Bagels introduces new, limited-edition flavors every week, creating a small, focused menu. PopUp Bagels are also meant to be eaten in a nontraditional way: instead of being toasted or cut as part of sandwiches, they are served hot and whole. Customers rip into them and dip them into the schmears, butters, or cream cheese. 

Located at 1440 Massachusetts Ave., the PopUp Bagels Harvard Square location is the 15th store in the franchise, and its opening has been highly anticipated by locals and students. “Cambridge is such a vibrant community with so much to do, and being home to Harvard University didn’t hurt either,” Boston franchisee Brian Harrington said in an interview with the Harvard Independent. “We think PopUp Bagels is a perfect addition to the neighborhood.” 

Harrington’s focus on community reflects one of the brand’s core values. PopUp Bagels started as a way for founder Adam Goldberg to keep a Connecticut neighborhood together in 2020, a time when people were forced to be apart. Goldberg opened the first official store in Westport, Conn. Since then, the brand has spread across the East Coast, from New York to Massachusetts, gaining popularity through its focus on quality and its clever marketing techniques. 

“The product always comes first,” Harrington said. “We focus on making incredible bagels and schmears, and the social buzz naturally follows because people love sharing what they enjoy.” 

There’s no shortage of buzz surrounding the brand. PopUp Bagels boasts a fan base of celebrities such as actor Paul Rudd and former All-Pro NFL defensive end J.J. Watt. Its marketing leans into the brand’s social media presence, with opportunities for photographs in every part of the store, from their menu to their slogan, “Not Famous, But Known,” plastered across a mirror that customers can take selfies in. 

PopUp Bagels also embraces partnerships with other companies to bring limited-edition schmears to their stores—this month, they dropped a “Kraft Mac & Cream Cheese” schmear. These limited-edition “drops” generate hype and exclusivity surrounding the brand, making customers desperate to try PopUp’s newest concoction before the schmear is taken off the market. The brand’s attention to marketing is as clear in person as it is in its online presence.

The moment I stepped inside the Cambridge location, I found myself surrounded by the countless photographable moments around the store. The space was brightly lit and playfully decorated. A large “HARVARD SQUARE” sign reaches across one wall, and a collage of customer photos adorns another. Right by the window, a display of PopUp Bagels merchandise invites customers to represent the brand. White hats and t-shirts that sport their famous slogan lined the shelves.

 “We took the traditional PopUp decor and added a few Harvard and Cambridge elements,” Harrington explained. “It’s cool, clean, and we think it turned out great.”

After taking in the decor of the store, I turned to the menu, which is simple and straightforward. PopUp Bagels offers a choice of five bagels: plain, sesame, salt, poppyseed, and everything. The shop has a selection of limited-edition butters and cream cheeses, as well as three classic cream cheeses they always stock: scallion, plain, and vegan scallion. Rather than ordering a single bagel, customers must order in packs of three, six, or 12, though each bagel is still full-sized. By setting up the menu this way, PopUp Bagels seems to encourage its customers to share and connect over food. In a place like Harvard, where it’s hard to find time between classes and extracurriculars, this Rip-and-Dip ritual could force students to slow down and take time to catch up over a meal. 

That Friday morning, my friend and I ordered a three-pack with truffle butter, choosing plain, sesame, and everything as our bagel options. That week’s schmears were Kraft Mac & Cream Cheese, truffle butter, plain, and scallion. Ready to Rip-and-Dip, we opened the bag and found an extra bagel nestled in the bottom, a warm opening-day surprise. That morning, we broke bagels together over coffee and conversation, a comforting start to the long weekend that reflected the familiarity of connection between friends.

Personally, I’ve always been a fan of a bagel sandwich or a classic lox and cream cheese (with extra capers, of course), but PopUp won me over by promising something simple and new. So, although I’ll never give up a bagel sandwich, PopUp seems to be here to stay if I ever want a change of pace. 

PopUp Bagels is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Claire Chung ’29 (clairechung@college.harvard.edu) likes the everything bagel from PopUp.

By Ollie F. Ginnis

By Claire V. Miller, Crimson Opinion Writer

Claire V. Miller ’28, a Crimson Editorial editor, lives in Mather House.

Yesterday

As of Sunday, Sept. 28, the Starbucks located in the heart of Harvard Square is now closed. So long to the Pumpkin Spice Latte, the Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino, and the Strawberry Açai Lemon Refresher. You will not be missed.

Especially when Blank Street Coffee right across the street can do the trick. The truth is, Harvard Square is overrun with chain corporations crowding out possible storefronts of smaller, local businesses. In the midst of Starbucks’ absence, we would all benefit from something more local.

During my junior year of high school, I toured Harvard for the first time. Walking around the Square, I was initially enchanted by the quaint Cambridge businesses crowding the streets. But this all changed when I found out that Tatte Bakery, Blank Street Coffee, Blue Bottle Coffee, and Bluestone Lane were all chains. Behind the mystique, Harvard Square isn’t so different from any other affluent metro center replete with major chains.

The problem doesn’t just lie with the cafe scene. The Cava, Sweetgreen, Ben & Jerry’s, Le Macaron, Joe’s Pizza, Daily Provisions, and the recently arrived Pop-Up Bagels all occupy storefronts that might otherwise be filled by small businesses.

These massive chains undermine Harvard Square’s appeal. I can buy a pint of Ben & Jerry’s at CVS, a macaron from Le Macaron in my hometown, and a slice of Joe’s Pizza in Miami, Ann Arbor, New York City. If we can get these products basically anywhere, what makes our home special?

At the end of the day, small businesses are what make Harvard Square feel authentic and distinct. Small businesses not only provide unique products but also adjust their offerings to local needs. Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage sells the “Conan O’Brien” wrap, the “Alan Garber” burger, and the “Rent Control” veggie burger. Luxor Cafe sells the “Harvard Yard” and “Darwins Mt. Auburn” sandwiches. The apparel shop at Felipe’s Taqueria features Harvard’s “Veritas” logo emblazoned with “Burritos” instead. As silly or trivial it may seem, these products demonstrate tangible community and are only possible because these businesses are integrated into the neighborhood.

Not only are small businesses able to specialize to community needs — they can also thrive in Harvard Square. Take Berryline, our famed frozen yogurt and ice cream shop. Recently, Berryline went viral on TikTok, spawning lengthy lines. While the business has been operating in Harvard Square since 2007, they also had a location in Porter Square, though it closed in 2021. After suffering this setback, Berryline has clearly made a recovery and demonstrated the potential staying power of small businesses in Harvard Square.

Some people might raise the concern that a new local business will be more expensive than a chain. That might be true, but a typical Starbucks drink is hardly cheap. A slightly higher price is worth it to maintain an idiosyncratic community character.

So the next time you’re missing Starbucks, maybe instead try to go to a local coffee shop in the Square. Or if you really can’t live without your Pumpkin Spice Latte, there’s always the other Starbucks just around the corner.

A crowd of thousands fills Harvard Square for its annual Oktoberfest. By Nika Imamberdieva

By Theresa Bartelme F., Adam Han, and Nylah R. Jordan, Contributing Writers

13 hours ago

Thousands of people gathered in Harvard Square this Sunday despite rainy weather for the 46th Oktoberfest, with activist performances, food, and cultural celebration.

The festival coincided with the Fourth Annual Harvard Square Filipino American Festival and the 20th annual HONK! Parade.

HONK!, which originated in Somerville in 2006, is an annual three-day festival that brings activists and brass bands from across the U.S. to perform in Boston and Cambridge.

Denise A. Jillson, the Executive Director of the Harvard Square Business Association, who has been involved with the parade since 2006, said HONK! provides the opportunity for local activists to gather in Cambridge and “take the street with horns, bikes, and feet.”

“We like to think of it as a toe-tapping, knee-banging, hips-swinging, hand-clapping, heart-pumping, mind-blowing spectacle,” Jillson said.

More than 30 activist organizations participated in the parade and held up signs with pro-Palestine and immigrant rights messages like “Protect Our Neighbors.”

Jen Zawatskas, who has been volunteering with HONK! for more than 15 years, said she feels the parade’s mission is particularly resonant now.

“We’re at a time period right now where we need to come together and have our voices be heard, Zawatskas said. “The messages that HONK! brings are really particularly salient right now, and so I think it’s really important that we get out and exercise our right to have a voice.”

While international bands have performed at the event in the past, this year HONK! also allowed international performances via livestream at another part of the parade amid concerns from some bands around an increase in visa rejections and visitor detainments at airports.

Sarah Pilzer, who played the mellophone in the Brass Balagan street band, said she was glad that international bands who had previously taken part were still able to do so this year.

“They were still able to be part of HONK! for their 20th celebration through a live stream on a big jumbotron in Davis Square — it was awesome,” Pilzer said.

The festival brought spectators from across the country back to Cambridge. Scott Langley, a brass musician who has attended HONK! more than 15 times, drove three hours from New York to take part in the cause. Susan Fauman, who attended the festival for the first time with him, said the event provided a sense of belonging to spectators in the crowd.

“You feel like you’re in this sort of protective space of sound and activism and art and it raises your spirits,” said Fauman.

The Filipino American Festival, which took place in celebration of Filipino American History Month, featured food vendors with traditional Filipino cuisine including lumpia and lechon. The crowd was dotted with red, white, and yellow Filipino flags that lined the street from Oktoberfest to the cultural festival.

Jay Rocka, the founder of Kuya Jay’s Ube Kafe in Boston, took part in the event for the second year and sold ube lattes and Filipino food. According to Rocka, the event is one of the largest that the cafe has participated in, partly for its pairing with Oktoberfest.

“Cambridge is a very diverse community, and now you’re platforming different parts of your community all at the same time,” Rocka said.

A number of singers, street performers, political candidates, and activists joined in the festivities, including famous Filipino-American singer and songwriter Jay R, who has just under four million monthly listeners on Spotify.

“We have our Filipinos who came out despite the rain that wanted to support and watch me sing, which I thought was so cool,” Jay R said.

By combining Sunday’s three festivals, Fauman said that Cambridge cultivated a fun environment for spectators to engage in different aspects of the city.

“I love that the city of Cambridge has brought together an Oktoberfest event focused on commercialism and drinking beer and all that with something that contains the spirit of activism and community,” Langley said.

“To have all that in one place on one day is a really beautiful blend for me of all the traditions and cultures that exist,” Fauman added.

A news-based journal on the Boston restaurant scene. The owner of this blog is also the founder of Boston’s Hidden Restaurants, a website that focuses on local dining spots.

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

PopUp Bagels Is Opening in Cambridge’s Harvard Square

Earlier this year, it was reported that a growing group of bagel shops would be opening another Boston-area location, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to a press release, PopUp Bagels is now open in Cambridge, moving into a space at the corner of Mass. Ave. and Church Street in Harvard Square. As mentioned earlier, the new shop offers a variety of bagels and “schmears,” and it joins two others locally–in Boston’s Seaport District and in Somerville’s Assembly Row, while their bagels can also be purchased within Captain Mardens in Wellesley as well.

PopUp Bagels was established in Westport, CT, in 2020, with founder Adam Goldberg selling bagels from a backyard pickup window at his house.

The address for PopUp Bagels in Harvard Square is 1430 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for the business is at https://www.popupbagels.com/