Harvard Square Business Association
August 2023 Newsletter
Events/Deals/News
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Please join us in welcoming our new members!
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The 44th Annual Oktoberfest in Harvard Square’s will hit the streets in the heart of the square on Sunday, October 8th!
Live music on multiple stages, food vendors, crafts and of course, festive beer gardens will be located throughout the Square. Come be a part of a legendary tradition – it will be wunderbar to see you again!
Vendor applications available here.
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Through August 19th
Get your tastebuds ready for Dine Out 2023! This is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of delicious deals at participating Harvard Square restaurants offering indoor or outdoor dining options. For more information, click here.
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Through August 24th
Over the Charles Boston Rooftop Bar in partnership with Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers, is pleased to announce the return of their live summer acoustic series – OTC Sunset Sounds. Every Thursday night through August 24, Boston-based musician and vocalist – Samantha Farrell – will perform on the rooftop from 8:00 pm until 10:00 pm with no cover required. Her unique voice and deft guitar work will help usher in the sunset with a moody fusion of jazz, alt R&B and pop that’s sure to set a chill tone up on the rooftop. Find some of her latest original music here.
Guests can visit OpenTable to reserve a table for up to 8 people.
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Through August 26th
There's nothing quite like summer and there's no better place to be than in Harvard Square. Kick off your weekend evenings with relaxing sounds and enjoy the wonderful view from our outdoor courtyard.
Upcoming performances
August 11th - Cuarto Gatos (Afrocuban)
August 12th - Lumanyano Mzi Quartet (Afropop)
August 18th - Angel Subero & Latin Logic Quintet (Salsa Latin)
August 19th - Receita de Samba (Jazz Samba)
August 25th - Angel Subero & the Project ( Salsa Latin)
August 26th - Lumanyano Mzi Quartet (Afropop)
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Sundays Through October 29th
On Sundays through October 29th, up to 48 local artisans, makers, and vintage dealers will converge on Church Street. This is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered! From unique art pieces to handcrafted treasures, there’s something for everyone. Grab your friends, bring your shopping bags, and join us at the Harvard Square Open Market for a day of fun and support our talented local community.
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August 12th & 18th, 7:00pm
August 12th
If you're a cyclist in the Cambridge/Boston area, or if you're interested in urban transportation, join us at the Harvard Square location on August 12th for a panel discussion and audience Q&A about cycling in the city and the power of alternative transportation. Representatives from Bikes not Bombs, the City of Cambridge, and Cambridge Bike Safety will be available to answer all your burning questions.
Before the panel kicks off, stop by to mingle while enjoying some complementary food and drink. You'll also have a chance to win a new bicycle and some Patagonia MTB gear! Enter before the panel with a donation to Bikes not Bombs or to Cambridge Bike Safety. We'll announce the winners after the event ends. RSVP here.
August 18th
Join us for our Sip & Sew Workshop Series! We have four fun workshops lined up from through September. These classes will be led by Jessamy Shay, who is a local textile artist, mender, and fashion designer, whose work focuses on sustainability and handcraft processes.
At each workshop you'll learn about a different handcraft process: creative patching & embroidery, darning, and hand sewing for mending. The August 18th workshop will focus on hand sewing techniques that can be used to repair seams, hems, tears, and more. Participants will learn about tools and materials for hand sewing, a variety of stitches, and when to apply them to restore garments back to wearability. More information here.
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August 17th
6pm - 8pm
Join us for an evening of Aperitivi and Live Music at Bar Enza!
Sip on delicious cocktails and sample our delectable selection of small bites, prepared using only the freshest ingredients.
Menu Includes:
🍴Tomato and Smoked Mozzarella Arancini
🍴Ricotta Crostini with Lava Salt and Fennel Pollen
🍴Shrimp and Cucumber Tramenzzi
🍴Prosciutto and Mozzarella Sliders
🍴Ham and Broccoli Stromboli
🍴Fried Zucchini Chips
Whether you're looking for a casual night out with friends or a romantic evening with that special someone, Bar Enza is the perfect spot. Don't miss out on the chance to enjoy great music, food, and drinks in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
Farmers Market - Sundays starting September 10th
Bar Enza will be joining the Farmers Market outside the Charles Hotel on Sundays starting September 10th. Come chat about the restaurant and receive some treats and giveaways from the team!
Come visit all Bar Enza has to offer! We are an Italian Trattoria located in the Charles Hotel. Our Beautiful art deco space features floor to ceiling windows and serves delectable Italian dishes from Chef Tony Susi. We can host an array of different celebrations, from intimate dinners to holiday parties and weddings! Contact our Event Sales Specialist Sari Sailsman for a tour!
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Summer Dance Club
in the Street
August 18th & September 15th
Two More Block Parties This Summer! If our Bastille Day Party-turned-flood-disaster taught us anything, it's how to snatch a wine bottle that's starting to float down a street river. But also, it's that people are thirsty for outdoor dance parties. That's why we're teaming up with the Harvard Square Business Association and imminent Harvard Square pizza powerhouse Joe's Pizza (3 Brattle St.) to bring you two more block party events, with a (much larger!) Bonde Wine Garden to boot! We're shutting down Church Street to dance in the streets. Come revel with us!
Mark your calendars for Friday August 18th and Friday September 15th, 7-10p.
Sundays Through October 29th
Bonde's Weekly wine garden—Every Sunday from 11 to 5
As part of the fantastic Harvard Square Open Market every Sunday, Bonde has installed a fabulous Wine Garden on the street in front of our shop on Church Street. Our tent has seating for 12 and will shelter you from the sun or rain. You can buy a flight of three wines or you can order by the glass and sip away while listening to live music and watching the passersby. Every Sunday has its own theme with a completely new flight of wines. See the upcoming themes below:
Sunday August 13 - On the Trail of Sasquatch: Oregon Wine
Sunday August 20 - In Peace with Thunderbird: Washington wines
Sunday September 3 - Deep in the Southwest: New Mexico Wine
Sundays September 10th - TBD!
(Note: there is no wine garden on August 27)
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Our Wednesday Evening Tastings
Every other Wednesday, Bonde hosts an evening tasting at our shop where Bertil showcases four different wines with food to match. It's a cozy, intimate gathering of up to eight participants. See our upcoming evening tastings below:
If you like chicken, pork, or vegetarian sausages, sweet or spicy, and you want to know how to choose your wine to accompany them, this evening is for you. Hosted by internationally renowned sommelier and, more importantly, sausage gastronome Bertil Jean-Chronberg, this tasting will help you to discover the secrets behind the perfect sausage and wine pairing. Tasting Class size is limited to up to eight participants. What’s included: a flight of 4 wines & light food. $85 pp.
Enjoy the extremely rare opportunity to sit down with Drew Daigle from the incredible Mail Road Wines from Santa Rita Hills in Santa Barbara. They strive to produce wines of excellence and distinction that reveal the passion and uncompromising craft that went in their creation. This event consist of 90 minutes around the table enjoying some phenomenal Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines with great light food. This tasting is co-hosted by internationally renowned sommelier (and Mail Road fanboy) Bertil Jean-Chronberg and master winemaker Drew Daigle. What’s included: a flight of 4 wines & light food. $105 pp.
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Passport to Black Businesses in Harvard Square
August 24th -27th
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Abroad Modern has launched a new division, and we are now offering Interior and Architectural Design Services!
Have you ever walked in to your favorite neighborhood shop for modern, globally sourced goods and thought, ‘it would be awesome if my home looked like this?' Well now it can! Introducing The Studio @ Abroad Modern, a women-owned, internationally inspired design firm for interior and architectural projects small and large.
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Summer sale, August 26 and 27th. Deals up to 50% off
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Gong cha is offering a new seasonal menu featuring peachy flavored drinks. We are also offering $1 off on the peach drinks when you show this promotion at checkout!
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30% off summer scarves when you mention this ad.
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Fridays, Saturdays and private tours are available.
Calling all chocoholics! Join us for a delectable adventure through historic Harvard Square. You'll hear interesting stories about the Square, learn fun facts about chocolate and sample the best and most interesting chocolaty treats around. Harvard Square has a flourishing food scene with some of the best and most unique food in the city. Each tour is a fun 90 minutes and includes 4 stops with plenty of treats and less than a mile of walking. We can't wait to take you on a unique, chocolate adventure!
This tour is suitable for all ages. $40/pp. Guests must purchase tickets in advance. Use code HARVARDSQUARE and enjoy 10% off!
Haven't been to Harvard Square lately? Do you know we have a new tiki bar?
Revisit Harvard Square on our new FOOD TOUR!
Booking Saturdays at 11:30am, this memorable experience is offered weekly. You'll eat a satisfying array of yummy eats, from Greek to Latin to the best pizza in the world. Tour also includes a Mai Tai or yummy mocktail.
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OptoGlo Solar Signs Real Estate A-Frames for $650 (origimally $895). This includes 2 custom rider prints, and 2 38x24 custom branded prints. This deal will run through Labor Day.
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Skincare Giveaway: Through August 20th
Spend $65 and receive a FREE Kit ($93 Value) that includes a 30ml Checks & Balances™ Face Wash, Drink Up™ Intensive Face Mask & GinZing™ Energizing Gel Cream, a 15ml Plantscription™ Multi-Powered Face Serum, and a 5ml GinZing™ Refreshing Eye Cream.
Spend $95 and also choose a FREE full-size Nighttime Moisturizer: Plantscription™ Night Cream or High-Potency Night-A-Mins™ Cream.
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Save 15% when you purchase two or more prescription pairs, as well as 15% when ordering contacts with us for the first time, and a $50 frame credit for selecting an annual supply.
In addition, Warby Parker will be offering branded 'Classroom Champion' mugs as a gift-with-purchase to Harvard University students, staff, and faculty. We've got your eyes covered for the semester ahead. Stop by to shop the full collection of glasses, sunglasses, contacts, and accessories.
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African Gift Items, located at 36 JFK Street, offers authentic African art, crafts, jewelry, bags, clothing, accessories, coffee, tea, and spices! Stop by for unique one-of-a-kind gifts suitable for any occasion.
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Shop Bob Slate Stationer for your Back to School student, office and art supply needs! We are open regular hours throughout Labor Day Weekend to help get you stocked up! Be sure to check out our Fountain Pen & Ink collections -- tax free weekend might help you make that grail pen yours!
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Cambridge Local First is looking for local businesses' feedback as we develop a program to help local business owners navigate and fund operational support for their businesses. More details about the program can be found here.
We especially want to hear from businesses or entrepreneurs working in accommodations, food/drink, education, health care or social assistance (including child care), arts/entertainment, and professional services.
There are two ways to provide feedback:
- Set up time to connect with us by phone call or Zoom, OR
- Fill out this survey (it should take 10-15 minutes)
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One Reason Garden Bar, the Charles Hotel’s latest summer outdoor venue, serves local beers, natural wines, a rotating frozen twist on classic cocktails, as well as light fare and non-alcoholic beverages. Relax and play games such as giant Jenga and corn hole five days a week, and swing to live music every Friday and Saturday.
Hours of Operation: Wednesday + Thursday - 4pm on, Friday, Saturday, Sunday - 12pm on.
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Three years of economic disruption from first the COVID-19 pandemic and now the Ukraine war have had devastating impact on poor countries around the world. At Distressed Children & Infants International (DCI) we’ve witnessed heart-breaking financial, emotional and physical suffering in our project areas in Bangladesh. Because of this, we need your help now more than ever!
We urge you to open your hearts and join in our charitable mission. There are several easy ways you can help us fight poverty & disease and bring hope to poor children, such as sponsoring a girl or boy, providing financial assistance to our Orphan Support Program, and giving an eye surgery to a visually impaired child. You can learn more about these and other ways to give here.
Take Action:
On behalf of all the children we support in Bangladesh, thank you for your generous support.
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Gentreo Digital Estate Planning
Protect what you love with an easy, affordable, and award-winning digital estate planning solution. Try it for free through September 2023!
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Your dream office in Harvard Square is waiting.
Thoroughly professional and thoughtfully designed, Industrious’ flexible workspaces support companies of all sizes and stages. We believe that the right workplace can move your business forward by giving your team members spaces to focus and collaborate in — spaces that make them proud to come to work. Click here for a tour or more information.
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J.P. Licks has introduced Hot Honey Ice Cream - our vanilla ice cream sweetened with honey and then, surprise!, jalapeño heat takes this ice cream to the next level. You can also grab a glass of our new Hot Honey Lemonade for a refreshing treat.
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Van Gogh Limited Edition Series: Large, Ruled Notebook
Large, Plain Sketchbook
Set of Two Cahier Journals
Van Gogh Museum Collector's Box
Aside from it being a collaboration with Van Gogh, these items are Moleskine retail exclusives.
Like Vincent Van Gogh, be relentlessly passionate in the search for your own uniqueness. Whether you're putting pen to paper, putting brush to canvas or putting a cake in the oven, physical creative expression is the only way to know yourself. This ruled notebook is your private creative space, a place to note everything down. Use it as a journal to unclutter your mind, or draw inspiration from your surroundings to create something new: a poem, a doodle, a song. Delve deep and get to know your own unique self through creativity.
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Podcast Season 7 - Find Your Roots
Episode 3: What Got You Here?
On June 27th, Mable Chan, Founder/Executive Producer, One in a Billion Productions 501c3, interviewed Paul Lee, co-owner/manager of Hong Kong restaurant in Harvard Square.
Hong Kong restaurant in Harvard Square was opened by Sen Lee in 1954.
As a kid, Paul Lee never questioned his father when he was told to clean and scrub dirty spots in the restaurant. He might have grumbled a little on weekends when he wanted to watch cartoons. After working at the restaurant through his teenage years, he never planned to take over the family business.
When it was time to decide on his college major, he chose computer-based management systems at Clarkson University in New York State. However, everything changed the day Paul graduated, when his father suffered a heart attack shortly after the commencement ceremony. Paul decided it was time for him to step up.
In this episode, Paul shares his memories of his family history, his parents’ hard work, and why it’s so important for him and his siblings to find their roots and keep their immigrant story alive.
Find Your Roots is a history and culture project centering on Asian American voices, perspectives, and experiences. It is a one-on-one in-depth podcast interview show with Asian “Roots-Finders” seeking to remember the diverse and profound influences of their parents and grandparents. This educational podcast project is designed to promote and preserve the legacy of the countless contributions—as well as forgotten struggles and sacrifices—of our ancestors who paved the way for us today. Find your Roots is made possible - in part - by a generous grant from PLUS Charitable Trust.
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Special Summer menu available through August 31st at Playa Bowls.
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First, we won Boston Parents Paper's Family Favorite Award!
Second, we have a summer program coming up in August that we would love to share information about, as well.
Saint Paul's Choir School is happy - and thankful - to announce that it has been awarded Family Favorite 2023 by Boston Parents Paper! The nomination and voting periods ran from March through June. We are thrilled to have won this award for our wonderful community: alumni, students, parents, faculty, and Parish alike! Moreover, we are so happy to have represented our wider Harvard Square community. To quote the Beatles, we "get by with a little help from our friends." Thank you, friends!
Saint Paul's Choir School is also running a summer bridge program in August. It is a wonderful opportunity to help a young person ease out of Summer and back into the swing of things at school. The program runs at SPCS, 29 Mount Auburn Street, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Monday August 21 through Friday August 25. Learn more at saintpaulschoirschool.us/summerprogram.
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Elsie Tops
Meet Elsie halter top! Our new collection of halters tops are upcycled from vintage aprons. We named them in honor of the locally famous sandwich shop that used to be at our Harvard Square location from 1965-1995. To learn more about the Elsie halter top, check out our latest Instagram Reel
Stop by our Harvard Micro vintage store to shop your own upcycled Elsie tops! We're located at 73 Mount Auburn Street in Harvard Square Tuesday-Sunday from noon to 5pm.
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Y2Y Network is proud to complete another successful summer season at its youth homeless shelter in Harvard Square. This summer, with the support of the Cambridge community, the shelter provided beds to over 35 youth experiencing homelessness. We cannot wait to open our doors again on October 15!
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Central Rock Gym exists to provide our members and guests with access to world class indoor rock climbing and fitness facilities. In addition to climbing, our gyms help build strong communities through their youth programs, member events, meetups, competitions, and fundraising events. We strive to create an experience and atmosphere within our gyms that is welcoming and accessible to all climbers, regardless of experience or background.
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Harvard Square Business Association
Two Brattle Square, Mezzanine
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 491-3434
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Need a Job? We can help!
Click here for a list of hiring businesses
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