Contract negotiations concerning the new tenants are being controlled by the development corporation, IDM Inc. The Coop said IDM is looking for a single tenant for the space cuurently occupied by the bar and an adjacent Dunkin' Donuts franchise.

This potential set-up is reminiscent of the fate of the Tasty Diner, which occupied a space in the building on JFK St. where the Abercrombie & Fitch clothing store and Pacific Sunwear are now located.

"All the small businesses I've read so much about because of Good Will Hunting are being displaced because of corporate businesses," said KSG student and petition organizer Sean Mao. "The Bow is one of the last places where we can come and have an affordable drink."

Several scenes in Good Will Hunting, a 1998 Academy Award-winning film, were filmed in Harvard Square, including inside the Bow and the neighboring donut shop. The movie was shown at the bar at 4 p.m. as part of the event.

Supporters hope to avoid another scenario like that of the Tasty and they said yesterday they believe that the Bow has a character that is vital to Harvard Square.

"This bar has always been a place of diversity, a melting pot between Harvard and the local working class, with hardly any trouble," said Mike Kelly, who has been going to the bar for the past 25 years. "To let it go would be to effectively kill a small part of Harvard Square."

Charlie Brennan, his friend and fellow bar regular, agreed.