Archives: Media Room

Berk’s Shoes closed this week after 35 years in Harvard Square…

The Cardullo family is parting ways with their longstanding business, Cardullo’s Gourmet Shoppe, a landmark in the heart of Harvard Square for the past six decades.  Sisters Donez Cardullo Tavilla and Francesca Cardullo Sibboe have sold the popular business to Newton couple, Rich and Kim Wilson. The sale will be finalized in four to six weeks once the liquor license is transferred, but the new owners plan to keep the shop’s name and mission, according to Tavilla.

Harper Lee’s long-awaited second novel, Go Set a Watchman, is set for release on July 14. In response, independent bookstores around the country are preparing for the biggest book release since the golden days of Harry Potter.  BookPeople in Austin, Texas, for instance, ordered 300 copies of Go Set a Watchman as soon as it was announced in February, according to retail store manager Bryan Samsone. Since then, 100 of those copies been set aside for preorders.

The iconic Out of Town News kiosk in Harvard Square could undergo some changes in the near future.  Cambridge officials have been assessing ways to enhance public open space in the area, including a rejuvenation of the 500-square-foot kiosk. The project would open up the kiosk, restore the structure, showing off the architectural detail through more lighting, and convert it into a flexible space with a variety of programming opportunities, according to Stuart Dash, director of community planning for the city’s Community Development Department.

Aaron Perrino and his band, The Sheila Divine, have been performing post-punk rock music in front of crowds since the late 1990s, but this year will mark the first time the four-member Boston-based group will step on the MayFair stage in Harvard Square.  “It’s a pretty great line up this year,” said Perrino, 40, of Boston, who said he is going to bring his children to the festival. “I like playing in Harvard Square on Mass. Ave. It will be fun.”

“Y2Y Harvard Square,” which is scheduled to open in November following a $1.1 million renovation of the church’s subterranean auditorium, will offer temporary shelter for young adults age 18 to 24 during the coldest six months of the year.

Everyone complains that Boston doesn’t have its own homegrown music festival — this year’s Mayfair might just be the answer.  The Harvard Square Business Association this morning announced Mayfair’s May 3 music lineup lineup, and it’s a doozy: The Sheila Divine, Freezepop, Bent Shapes, M’Bolo, Air Traffic Controller, Hallelujah The Hills, Grey Season, the Luxury, Vundabar, Funeral Advantage, Parks, and the Novel Ideas all shape up a pretty killer event. And it’s free.

The slow climb in temperatures marks the end of the off-season for tour companies in Harvard Square. Although this past winter buried many tour group businesses in weeks of slow or no sales—especially those that depend on last-minute bookings—the damage was lessened by the industry’s anticipation of such seasonal cycles, according to tourism company employees.  For Trademark Tours, the company behind the “Hahvahd Tour,” business did not noticeably differ from previous winters. CEO and founder Daniel Andrew attributed the steady numbers to the fact that most customers during the colder months are large companies that have scheduled months in advance.

Sandrine’s Bistro will close its doors on March 30, according to co-managing partner Gwen B. Trost. The French bistro, which was headed by award-winning chef Raymond E. Ost until August, has been a part of Harvard Square since 1996.  Trost said that the restaurant had experienced a tough economic winter due to the harsh weather but stated the decision to close had been made before the snow storms had arrived.

In the wake of winter weather that shut down University operations on three separate days this semester, some Harvard Square businesses have experienced a downturn in sales and customer traffic this season. Business owners pointed to recent MBTA service suspensions as well as parking and travel bans as factors inhibiting employees and customers from travelling to the Square.  “Businesses have reported that it has been very difficult these last few weeks with the snow,” said Denise A. Jillson, executive director of the Harvard Square Business Association.