Another major loss for Harvard Square this year was the Mass. Army/Navy store, which was located next door to Store 24 on Mass. Ave. The store relocated to Central Square after opening in Harvard Square nine years ago.

The store closed because Central Square offered a more attractive 3,000 square feet versus an awkward 10,000 in Harvard Square. Although many employees lost their jobs because of the store's downsizing, those still employed at Mass Army/Navy spoke enthusiastically about the move, according to Rachell Sanel, manager of the Harvard Square store.

"We'll have people versed in different areas. [In the Square] we had people who didn't know as much. For example, customers would explain their camping needs to one staff member, and then would have to tell someone else where they're going camping and for how long," Sanel says.

Last December, Cambridge Savings Bank announced that an Abercrombie and Fitch store would open in the Read Block building at the focal point of Harvard Square.

At that time, other tenants for the building had not been determined. One definite was that the legendary Tasty would be closed. Indeed, the Square's only 24-hour diner, closed in October. In February, it was decided for certain that the 81-year-old Tasty would remain closed for good, giving way to Finagle-a-Bagel and Pacific Coast Sunwear--Read Block's newest residents.

Owner Peter Haddad did not want to go through the hassles of re-opening the restaurant after an extended closure, even though Cambridge Saving Bank offered him low rents.

According to G. Pebble Gifford, president of the Harvard Square Defense Fund (HSDF), smaller businesses did not have the presence to open in Read Block.

"We begged them to try and find some local entrepreneurs that wanted to be in Cambridge. We'd hoped for small tenants, but [the bank] wants a big anchor and [Abercrombie and Fitch] can pay big bucks," she says.

Many people think that the renovations of Read Block will be a positive influence for the Square. Stores like Abercrombie and Fitch will undoubtedly attract a different type of consumer than the Tasty did.

"There will be another shopping option, and it's a bold step for the company," says Randy J. Gomes '02, who has worked at other Abercrombie locations. "Its aim has been more homogeneous--white, middle class. Harvard is a diverse environment and [A&F] can broaden its scope."

Although there are many stores that have departed the square this year, a few new ones--in the mold of the more mainstream chains that will move into Read Block--have arrived. In November, Friday's American Bar opened at 16 Eliot St., the site formerly occupied by California Pizza Kitchen.

"We specifically picked Cambridge for a new Friday's because the area draws business professionals, students and shoppers alike who like to hang out with their friends and celebrate in style," says Sandra Mix, general manager of the bar.

HSDF attempted to block the bar from settling in the Square. They argued that bars create too much noise late at night.

The changing face of Harvard Square has meant in many cases that restaurants and stores that catered to students are moving out to make way for consumers from outside the immediate Harvard Square community.

Associate Executive Director of the Harvard Square Business Association Cindy Miller says business owners must pay attention to the changing consumers.