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The Painted Burro intends to fill the vacancy left by Border Cafe in Harvard Square.

The restaurant plans to open at 32 Church St. this spring, according to Denise Jillson, the executive director of the Harvard Square Business Association.

“[We] know how fun and exciting they are in Davis Square. So we expect that they will bring all of that plus more to this lovely, iconic location in Harvard Square where our beloved Border Cafe was for many years,” Jillson said. “Their food is terrific. They’re great operators. They have a beautiful plan for doing some work both inside and outside.”

Mexican restaurant the Painted Burro is expanding again, and it’s taking over some prime real estate. After over three decades in Harvard Square, affordable Tex-Mex staple Border Cafe announced its closure in 2021; it had been temporarily closed since a 2019 fire, but the pandemic turned the closure permanent. Now, the spacious Church Street address will be home to a new location of the Painted Burro, whose original location opened in Somerville’s Davis Square nearly a decade ago. There are also Painted Burros in Bedford and Waltham, plus offshoots called Burro Bar in Brookline and Boston’s South End.

The new Painted Burro could open in spring 2022. The other locations serve tacos, tortas, enchiladas, and lots more, and they feature lengthy tequila and mezcal lists. (Meanwhile, Border Cafe remains in operation in Saugus and Bedford, and there are several locations in New Jersey and Delaware, too, but the now-defunct Harvard Square location was the original.)

A group of Mexican restaurants appears to be expanding to a new location, and it would be taking over an iconic space in Cambridge.

According to a source, The Painted Burro is planning to open in the former Border Cafe space in Harvard Square, with Marc Levy of Cambridge Day confirming this to us, indicating that if all goes as planned, the new location of the place will have a patio and could open in the spring. This would be the fourth location of The Painted Burro, which is part of The Alpine Restaurant Group (Posto, Burro Bar, Rosebud American Kitchen), and which has restaurants in Somerville’s Davis Square, Waltham, and Bedford. 

The Harvard Square location of the Border Cafe was hit by a fire approximately two years ago and never reopened, and it was learned that it would be a permanent closure early last year. (Existing locations of the Border Cafe can be found in Burlington and Saugus.)

The address for the upcoming location of The Painted Burro in Harvard Square is 32 Church Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for all locations can be found at https://www.thepaintedburro.com/by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

A Harvard Square florist that got its start over a century ago is closing its doors.

The Brattle Square Florist, open for more than 100 years, will close next month.

Owner Randy Ricker, who bought the Brattle Street shop nine years ago, says he’s reached a business and personal breaking point, with a pandemic on top of everything:

On the business front, challenges continue to mount. Prices for plants, flowers and hard goods have risen dramatically and we are struggling to maintain our margins. Availability of product has never been more challenging. We are not able to attract and retain staff who are critical to our operation. While the store is a magical place to visit, the conditions of our space are also deteriorating. The prospect of continuing operations during an ongoing and unpredictable pandemic is daunting.

CAMBRIDGE (CBS) – An legendary Harvard Sq. flower store is permanently closing its doorways immediately after 104 several years in company, citing in element difficulties brought about by the “daunting” COVID pandemic.

Brattle Sq. Florist will shut on January 31, operator Randy Ricker announced on Monday. Ricker stated challenges on the business enterprise entrance that “continue to mount” led to the decision to shut.

“Prices for vegetation, flowers and challenging products have risen radically and we are struggling to sustain our margins. Availability of products has under no circumstances been a lot more hard,” Ricker said in a assertion. “We are not equipped to bring in and retain staff members who are essential to our operation. While the retail store is a magical area to check out, the disorders of our room are also deteriorating. The prospect of continuing operations through an ongoing and unpredictable pandemic is challenging.”

“The prospect of continuing operations during an ongoing and unpredictable pandemic is daunting.”

A Harvard Square landmark announced Monday that it’s shutting the doors.

Brattle Square Florist cited the ongoing pandemic, along with supply chain problems, deteriorating real estate, and the labor shortage as the reasons the 104-year-old business will close its shop at the end of January, according to the Boston Globe.

CAMBRIDGE (TBEN) – An iconic Harvard Square florist is shutting down permanently after 104 years in business, citing in part the challenges caused by the “intimidating” COVID pandemic.

Brattle Square Florist will close on January 31, owner Randy Ricker announced on Monday. Ricker said business challenges that “continue to mount” led to the decision to close.

“Prices for plants, flowers and hard goods have risen dramatically and we are struggling to maintain our margins. Availability of product has never been more challenging,” Ricker said in a statement. “We are not able to attract and retain staff who are critical to our operation. While the store is a magical place to visit, the conditions of our space are also deteriorating. The prospect of continuing operations during an ongoing and unpredictable pandemic is daunting.” Brattle Square Florist will close on January 31, owner Randy Ricker announced on Monday. Ricker said challenges on the business front that “continue to mount” led to the decision to close.