Jerry, the popular Harvard Square barber known almost as well for his preaching as he is for his haircuts, may not be underground much longer.

Harvard Student Agencies (HSA) intends to purchase the building in which Jerry's Underground is located and to occupy part of the space Jerry now uses when his lease expires.

The building at 71 Mt. Auburn St. once housed Elsie's Sandwich Shop.

Former HSA President Lawrence W. Cheng '96 expects the organization will complete papers in the next two months.

Once in possession of the building, HSA will move its two separate offices in Church and Story Streets to the Mt. Auburn St. building, Cheng said.

But Jerry E. Lauretano, the barbershop's owner, whom HSA's own Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard calls "a living legend," said he is not bitter about being ousted from the building.

"I don't have an axe to grind with anybody," the six-year tenant said, adding that he appreciates the help he has received from HSA manager Richard Olken in searching for a new site for his business.

"They're trying to be nice," Lauretano said. "They're trying to help me find a new place in Harvard Square. But I don't like having to move."

In addition to housing Jerry's Underground, the building also contains the Tennis and Squash Shop, which will remain through the duration of its lease, Heid said.

Current HSA President Matthew J. Heid '97 said the Mt. Auburn St. building will be too large for HSA alone once Jerry departs.

To fill the unused space, HSA plans to establish a new Italian restaurant in the site which was formerly Elsie's Sandwich Shop, Heid said.

The plans for the restaurant were approved by the City of Cambridge Zoning Commission despite protests by the Harvard Square Defense Fund, Rangit Finzanaygam, a city zoning inspector, said.

"We decided that the plans would constitute no significant change [from the previous use of the site], so we did allow them to continue," Finzanaygam said.

Times Past

Though the location of Jerry's Underground may soon be occupied by another business, many doubt the barber's shoes will be filled so quickly.

"I think [losing Lauretano] would be a real loss for Harvard," Eric R. Nierenberg '96 said. "Going to Jerry's isn't just a haircut, it's an experience."

Kristin T. Gilliss '99 also said she has enjoyed her experiences with Lauretano.

"I think he's absolutely hysterical," Gilliss said. "Being there was sheer entertainment. I was laughing the whole time."

Even Lauretano, known for his immodesty, said he believes his own departure will be a loss for the community.

"I'm an asset to Harvard Square," he said. "I seem to be really well-liked here, which is flattering."

But while many students appreciate Lauretano's incessant banter as they get their hair styled, a number of students said they have found his long tirades to be tiresome or even annoying.

"When I went there, he kept telling me all the things he could do for my hair that I didn't even get to tell him what I wanted him to do," said Eli W. Bolotin '98. "I haven't been back since.