“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.
The raucous good time known as the HONK! Festival was honking as ever this weekend. The cacophonous parade that began in Davis Square …
September 19 marks the 20th anniversary of Rialto, the Harvard Square restaurant in the Charles Hotel that turned chef-owner Jody Adams, above, into a culinary superstar. In honor of the occasion, we canvassed the venue’s many distinguished alumni (and Adams herself) to take stock of the ingredients, people, and dishes that have made the place a destination for international dignitaries, Harvard bigwigs, and locals alike.
“Top Chef’’ is headed to Boston this spring, but before it does, one of the Bravo show’s alumni will visit Cambridge’s MayFair on Sunday. “Top Chef Masters’’ and “Top Chef’’ season 5 contestant Fabio Viviani will be onboard the Columbus Foods’ MeatUp Food Truck on Sunday from noon until 6 p.m. at the 31st annual Harvard Square MayFair, spreading his knowledge of high quality deli meats.
When Jose Sahagun opened the doors of Cancun Taqueria y Mas last October, customers constantly demanded margaritas. But Sahagun was still waiting to obtain a liquor license and, without one, he worried that the new restaurant might fail before it could gain a foothold among Harvard Square businesses.
At the heart of Harvard Square, between restaurants Au Bon Pain and Yenching, Lauren Canon holds a sign asking for food. On the ground beside her, Canon’s boyfriend Justin Newton has a sign that reads “too broke to pay attention.” As they wait, a woman coming out of Yenching hands them a bag of Chinese food. They pull out a camping utensil and begin eating.