A Herrell's staff member called the coordinator of the first-year ice cream party and offered to contribute Herrell's ice cream to the event in order to introduce incoming students to our product. The staff member was told that the new kid on the block, a store operated by a major corporate entity, had given all of the ice cream needed for the party and that other local products were not welcome.

This series of events is not catastrophic in itself to Herrell's Ice Cream or to other entrepreneurs operating in Harvard Square. However, the community should be aware that conducting business in Harvard Square is especially challenging for small boutique operators. When privately owned boutique-style businesses no longer exist in Harvard Square, the unique flavor and experience that they create will also be lost. This issue requires the sensitivity of the Harvard community, which should be focused on supporting small businesses in order to prevent Harvard Square from resembling a developer's dream mall.

Jessica G. Leahy

Jeffrey Stanett

Sept. 12, 2000

The writers are employees of the Leamil Corp., operators of Herrell's Ice Cream in Harvard Square.