During our time serving as archivists for the Independent, we have had the opportunity to read and reflect on many past pieces. The Indy continues to serve as a place where counterculture opinions are not only accepted, but encouraged. While there are no longer half-page advertisements, entire sections of jokes, or numerous local news stories, the spirit of Indy articles have been largely preserved. Some of our favorite articles from the 2000s issues are segments by “Masked Marvel” in which Masked Marvel provides input on Harvard Athletics and gives predictions for important upcoming games, similar to our current Gambling Column.
For the “Unearthed” issue, we dug up two stories from 2000 focusing on Cambridge’s evolving commercial landscape. We wanted to find something that tackled one of the central issues of Harvard right now: the dying local environment. The articles highlighted how large chains have driven small local businesses out of Harvard Square, altering the architectural and cultural landscape of our campus.
Contributing writer Charles Sullivan described the changing atmosphere in his 2000 article titled “The Heart of the Matter.” “Thirty years ago, West Cambridge families came to Brattle Square to shop at an A&P supermarket, a Woolworth’s 5 and 10, three department stores, and numerous small retailers and services,” he wrote. But the Cambridge that Sullivan describes—one where families shop for their everyday needs—is disappearing rapidly. Instead, we have banks, chain restaurants, and fast fashion.
In the same 2000 issue, Beth Holt describes a “mall-envy [that] has apparently taken over Mass Ave in the form of Au Bon Pain, Baskin-Robbins, PacSun, and Abercrombie.” Harvard Square has continued this trend of ousting local businesses in favor of big chains such as Anthropologie, Starbucks, and IHOP. While storefront turnover is inevitable, financial interest can easily undermine the Square’s identity, as authentic storefronts are being replaced with generic, run-of-the-mill shops.
Even Harvard’s dorms contribute to the Square’s artificial atmosphere. Take Winthrop, for instance: its modern white exterior feels out of place amongst the other red-brick river houses. Its stairwells, hallways, and dining hall belong in a hotel rather than in a Harvard house. While many of the dorms are in dire need of renovations, they do not have to come at the cost of Harvard’s style. When Claverly Hall was renovated, Harvard managed to keep elements of its past such as the mahogany wood stairs and cozy offices.
It’s not just Harvard dorms that are losing their personality. Harvard Square looks nothing like it did even ten years ago. The unique crimson-colored brick sidewalks once flowed through the heart of the Square, but today, green construction fences clog every corner and scaffolding blockades every other street. The unorthodox winding streets are riddled with bike lanes that have turned Brattle Street from the “King’s Highway” to something out of Ready Player One. When you walk through the Square today, you just as easily could be in any other major city.
Harvard Square is having an architectural identity crisis; with every additional chain, it inches one step closer to looking like a strip mall. The quality of the stores is of little concern. Rather, the problem is that the world’s only Curious George store was torn down to house the 21st Starbucks within a 2.5-mile radius. Harvard and its students should protect the antique atmosphere of the Square that is a product of its rich history.
It’s easy to think that as students, we are helpless spectators to the changes occurring in front of our eyes. As patrons of the Square, however, our collective dollars play a large role in Harvard Square’s ecosystem. By being selective with where we spend our money, we have the power to defend Cambridge’s iconic look and culture. While ordering Starbucks and Shake Shack can be slightly more convenient and less expensive, the extra effort goes a long way in preserving Harvard Square’s authenticity.
As illustrated in our article titled “Don’t Go Here, Go Here…”, Harvard Square is home to many hidden gems. Students should not let the big glass panes, shiny neon signs, and sleek modern designs prevent them from exploring every nook and cranny that Harvard has to offer. Instead, walk the streets of the Square, spend time outside, and engage with the lesser-known corners.
Luke Wagner (lukewagner@college.harvard.edu) and Jonah Karafiol (jonahkarafiol@college.harvard.edu) write Forum for the Harvard Independent.