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As of Sunday, Sept. 28, the Starbucks located in the heart of Harvard Square is now closed. So long to the Pumpkin Spice Latte, the Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino, and the Strawberry Açai Lemon Refresher. You will not be missed.

Especially when Blank Street Coffee right across the street can do the trick. The truth is, Harvard Square is overrun with chain corporations crowding out possible storefronts of smaller, local businesses. In the midst of Starbucks’ absence, we would all benefit from something more local.

During my junior year of high school, I toured Harvard for the first time. Walking around the Square, I was initially enchanted by the quaint Cambridge businesses crowding the streets. But this all changed when I found out that Tatte Bakery, Blank Street Coffee, Blue Bottle Coffee, and Bluestone Lane were all chains. Behind the mystique, Harvard Square isn’t so different from any other affluent metro center replete with major chains.

The problem doesn’t just lie with the cafe scene. The Cava, Sweetgreen, Ben & Jerry’s, Le Macaron, Joe’s Pizza, Daily Provisions, and the recently arrived Pop-Up Bagels all occupy storefronts that might otherwise be filled by small businesses.

These massive chains undermine Harvard Square's appeal. I can buy a pint of Ben & Jerry’s at CVS, a macaron from Le Macaron in my hometown, and a slice of Joe’s Pizza in Miami, Ann Arbor, New York City. If we can get these products basically anywhere, what makes our home special?

At the end of the day, small businesses are what make Harvard Square feel authentic and distinct. Small businesses not only provide unique products but also adjust their offerings to local needs. Mr. Bartley’s Burger Cottage sells the “Conan O’Brien” wrap, the “Alan Garber” burger, and the “Rent Control” veggie burger. Luxor Cafe sells the “Harvard Yard” and “Darwins Mt. Auburn” sandwiches. The apparel shop at Felipe’s Taqueria features Harvard’s “Veritas” logo emblazoned with “Burritos” instead. As silly or trivial it may seem, these products demonstrate tangible community and are only possible because these businesses are integrated into the neighborhood.

Not only are small businesses able to specialize to community needs — they can also thrive in Harvard Square. Take Berryline, our famed frozen yogurt and ice cream shop. Recently, Berryline went viral on TikTok, spawning lengthy lines. While the business has been operating in Harvard Square since 2007, they also had a location in Porter Square, though it closed in 2021. After suffering this setback, Berryline has clearly made a recovery and demonstrated the potential staying power of small businesses in Harvard Square.

Some people might raise the concern that a new local business will be more expensive than a chain. That might be true, but a typical Starbucks drink is hardly cheap. A slightly higher price is worth it to maintain an idiosyncratic community character.

So the next time you’re missing Starbucks, maybe instead try to go to a local coffee shop in the Square. Or if you really can’t live without your Pumpkin Spice Latte, there’s always the other Starbucks just around the corner.

Claire V. Miller ’28, a Crimson Editorial editor, lives in Mather House.