Archives: Media Room

Television
WCVB Channel 5

Original family resumes ownership, saving Cambridge’s Brattle Square Florist from closing

The beloved Brattle Square Florist in Cambridge will not be closing its doors after all.

“My family owned the business 98 years,” Stephen Zedros said.

When it comes to Brattle Square in Cambridge, Zedros and his family have been an evergreen that’s lasted since 1917. Their florist shop always there, their doors always open.

The family sold it nine years ago, and the current owner recently announced he would be retiring and the shop would be shuttered.

“I don’t want the name to go down. One day all of a sudden it goes silent. I wanted it to remain and stay open,” Zedros said.

To make that happen, Zedros – who had remained at the shop as a manager — immediately started a plan to buy back his family’s floral business.

“I had thought about it for a day or so I say it’s going to be so much work, but it’s going to be worth it,” he said.

He knew it would be worth it because of the outpouring of support he received when word first got out about its potential demise.

“I’ve gotten many letters, many cards from everybody that’s come in through the years and you’re finding people through the years that haven’t see in like five years coming in,” he said.

Zedros admits there will be challenges moving forward, including ongoing supply chain issues and staffing shortages.

Print

https://bostonrealestatetimes.com/brattle-square-florist-to-remain-open/

Print
The Crimson

Today’s Scoop: Ben and Jerry’s Reopens in Harvard Square

Ben and Jerry’s reopened its Harvard Square location on Dec. 21 following a nearly two-year-long hiatus.

The shop — once located inside The Garage shopping mall on John F. Kennedy St. — closed in 2020 at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Its new location sits across the street at 35 JFK St., formerly David’s Tea.

Print
The Crimson

Brattle Square Florist Returns to its Roots Under Ownership of Original Family

Brattle Square Florist will remain open under the ownership of longtime store manager Stephen Zedros, a member of the Gomatos family who founded the shop, its current owner announced just days away from the shop’s scheduled Jan. 31 closure.

The shop, which has operated in Harvard Square for 105 years, will continue operations at its current location until March before moving down the block to 52 Brattle St. Current owner Randy Ricker announced in December that he planned to retire and close the store, citing staff shortages, rising costs, and the continuing pandemic.

Print
Boston.com

Brattle Square Florist to remain open

“Returning Brattle Square Florist to my family is a dream come true.”

Brattle Square Florist will no longer be closing its doors at the end of the month. 

In a statement on Thursday, the business announced it will stay open, with ownership returning to the shop’s founding family. 

Print
Boston Real Estate Times

Brattle Square Florist to Remain Open

Cambridge, MA– Last month’s announcement that Brattle Square Florist would be closing on January 31 led to an outpouring of support from its customers and the community.

Moved by that outpouring, Stephen Zedros—the longtime manager at Brattle Square Florist—put plans in place to take over the business and maintain operations without interruption starting February 1.

Print
The Patch

Brattle Square Florist In Cambridge Will Remain Open

Longtime manager Stephen Zedros will take over the business, keeping the over 100-year-old shop in the family.

CAMBRIDGE, MA — Last month, word got out that Brattle Square Florist would be closing on Jan. 31, but after an enormous amount of support from customers and the community, the over 100-year-old flower shop will remain open.

Longtime manager Stephen Zedros put plans in action to take over the business and maintain operations without interruption starting Feb. 1.

The store will remain in its same iconic spot in Harvard Square, continuing to operate at 31 Brattle Street into March until it will relocate steps away to 52 Brattle Street.

“Brattle Square Florist has been operating in Harvard Square for over 100 years and I’m planning to lay the foundation for the next 100 years.”

Print
Vanyaland

ONCE makes play to rent former OBERON space in Cambridge

Could ONCE Somerville soon be ONCE Cambridge?

The independent live music promoter and venue space announced today (January 27) that it has submitted an application to rent the former OBERON location just outside Harvard Square. That spot, at 2 Arrow St. in Cambridge, was left vacant after the American Repertory Theater opted last fall to not renew its lease for 2022. OBERON, a longtime performance theater and alternative nightlife haven, had operated in Cambridge for 12 years, but was not part of the A.R.T.’s future plans as it eventually relocates to new digs in Allston.

“New home news: ONCE has submitted an application to rent the Oberon space!” ONCE posted to social media this afternoon. “Light a candle. Spread the word. Come on, Army. Let’s save some venues!”

Print
Boston Globe

Still in bloom: Brattle Square Florist will remain open under new ownership

Last month, the 105-year-old Cambridge shop’s impending closure was announced. Its longtime manager had other ideas.

Stephen Zedros, longtime manager at the Brattle Square Florist, will take over as the owner of the shop on Feb. 1.

When Brattle Square Florist announced its impending closure in late December, it felt like a moment of mourning for loyal customers of the 105-year-old Harvard Square institution.

Many were in disbelief that the shop would disappear on Jan. 31. Some began paying visits to browse the blooms while they still could. “I could wallpaper a room with the notes and letters and cards we received,” said longtime manager Stephen Zedros.


But it turns out that reports of Brattle Square Florist’s demise were premature, or at least, not the last word: The business is going to keep its doors open at a new address.