Lawrence P. Hopkins, co-owner of the newly opened bar and restaurant Daedalus, echoes Dicenso’s concerns.

“You’ve heard it many times by now--tt’s becoming an outdoor mall. Is it losing its identity? Of course it is. It’s losing the charm of the small business owner,” Hopkins says.

Harvard University itself is closing the doors of two Square institutions whose lease it holds, the Harvard Provision Company—known to thirsty students over 21 as “the Pro”—and Upstairs at the Pudding, both of which are to become office space for the University, possibly with retail space on street-level.

The design for Harvard’s new building planned at 90 Mt. Auburn Street—now occupied by the Harvard Provision Company—has been rejected by the Cambridge Historical Commission.

“I’m not optimistic that the tide is going to change soon,” says Martin J. Connealy, who has managed the Harvard Provision Company for 13 years. “A lot of people are paying very high rents they can’t afford right now.”

The Harvard Provision Company has been selling beer, wine and spirits at its location in one form or another since the 1890’s—with a break during prohibition—changing owners only three times, according to Connealy.

It is the only liquor store in the Square.

Less venerable, but also unique in their offerings to the Harvard Square community were Videopros and Sage’s Market—formerly the Square’s sole video rental and grocery stores, respectively.

“It’s ridiculous,” says Mashtots Professor of Armenian Studies James R. Russell, who lives in the Square. “I have to go to Porter Square to buy food now.”

Sage’s Market has been replaced by a Sprint PCS mobile telephone store, which uses the very large space to sell its very small phones.

The Square’s very own telecommunications revolution has further cramped the style of hungry Square denizens—Store24’s closure to make room for Omnipoint, another cellular provider, seems likely to make allies out of frustrated home gourmets and late-night snackers.

Last Call?

People get attached to the places where they have their good times, so it isn’t any surprise that Harvard students have been hit hard by the changes in Square nightlife, especially the recent—if temporary—demise of Grafton Street, a popular bar and restaurant.

“It’s sad to see places like the Tasty and Grafton go, especially when they’re replaced by places like Abercrombie,” says Matthew O’Hare ’01.