Breaking Chains

Students complain that part of the problem with prices in the Square is the absence of cheaper alternatives. In place

of Central Square's McDonald's, for instance,Harvard Square boasts the flagship Au Bon Pain.

"I would pick McDonald's over ABP almost anyday. It's quicker, cheaper and better, I think,"says Nader R. Hasan '02.

Yet while students and their wallets mightwelcome the changing, corporate face of theSquare, local residents have long resisted whatthey call "chain creep."

According to Gladys "Pebble" Gifford, presidentof the Harvard Square Defense Fund, escalatingrents are forcing out Mom-and-Pop stores andallowing chain stores with more financialstability to move in.

"You can't control the market forces," Giffordsays. "[Mom-and-Pop stores] don't have the deeppockets."

"What I'd like to see the students do is keepthe Mom-and-Pops in mind. Go to the AlgiersCoffeehouse in the Brattle Building instead ofgoing to a Starbucks for a cup of coffee," Giffordsays.

But students say it's price and quality thatmatter.

"Chains tend to have better prices and betterdeals overall," Giordano says. "It's not that Idon't care [about Mom-and-Pops]. I feel thatchains offer a wider variety of everything andbetter prices, especially for college students,who tend to be a little short on money.