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Harvard Square
Business Association
April 2025 Newsletter
Events/Deals/News
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Celebrate Easter in Harvard Square
Happy Easter! Harvard Square businesses look forward to seeing you this Sunday! Enjoy special menus, bountiful brunches, sweet treats and more!
For additional information please click here.
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40th Annual Harvard Square MayFair
May 4th
It's back! The 40th annual MayFair returns to the streets of Harvard Square on Sunday, May 4th from 11am - 6pm (rain-date, May 18th).
We look forward to you joining us! Stay tuned, details are on the way!
harvardsquare.com
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Moonbox Productions
Through May 4th
Moonbox Productions is thrilled to present the gospel musical, Crowns, running now through May 4th at Arrow Street Arts. Crowns is a powerful and jubilant musical, mixing gospel, jazz and a little bit of hip hop, in which hats become the springboard for an exploration of Black history and identity as seen through the eyes of a young Black woman. At the heart of this production is a beautiful tribute to African American women, their church hats, and the power of self-expression and sisterhood. Get ready to clap your hands and tap your feet because these ladies have "hatitude". For discounted tickets use discount code CROWNSHSBA. Tickets available here.
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Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra
April 19th
8:00pm
Join the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra in Sanders Theatre for our last concert of the season! Under the baton of HRO Music Director Federico Cortese, we will be performing Debussy’s Jeux and Brahms’ First Symphony. You absolutely will not want to miss this grand finale!
Tickets are FREE for Harvard Students with HUID, $25 for General Admission, $50 for VIP.
For any general questions, please contact hro@hrorchestra.org
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Harvard Museum of Natural History
April 24th
5:00pm - 9:00pm
ArtsThursdays: Astrobiology & Music
Free In-Person Concert at 7:00 pm
Museum galleries open and free to the public 5:00–7:00 pm
Enter at Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford Street
Is there life elsewhere in our solar system, or beyond? How will we discover it? And if there is, what then for us on Earth? Explore these questions and more at the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture.
This free event brings together astrophysicist and bestselling author Avi Loeb, the chamber ensemble of the Multiverse Concert Series, and science educators to explore astrobiology topics from both artistic and scientific perspectives.
Schedule
5–7 pm
Earth & Planetary Sciences Gallery
Meet and chat with planetary scientists and researchers from the Center for Astrophysics.
7–8 pm
Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford Street
Enjoy an immersive concert inspired by the search for life in other worlds. Astrophysicist Avi Loeb, David Ibbett, Resident Composer at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian and the Multiverse Soloists join forces to explore astrogeology, exoplanets, and distant technosignatures using music, immersive visuals, and cutting-edge science.
5–9 pm
- Explore all 22 galleries of the Harvard Museum of Natural History and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology
- Purchase drinks at the cash bar. Valid government ID required to consume alcoholic beverages
- Enter a free raffle to win museum gifts and membership
Free and open to the public. Let us know you are coming! RSVPs are encouraged, but walk-in visitors are always welcome. Free event parking at the 52 Oxford Street Garage.
Presented in collaboration with the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, the Harvard College Observatory, and ArtsThursdays - a university-wide initiative supported by the Harvard University Committee on the Arts.
Advance registration recommended
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Bonde Fine Wine Shop
April 24th & April 25th
Wine Class: Earth Day 2025 - Learn the difference between Organic, Natural, Sustainable, Biodynamic, and Regenerative - April 24th, 7pm
In honor of Earth Day, we are hosting a wine tasting class that will show you how to cut through the confusion and learn the difference between Organic, Natural, Sustainable, Biodynamic, and Regenerative. In addition to learning the ins and outs of these different practices, we'll also taste five wines, one from each of the different practices. This is the same class that Bertil has been invited to give at Harvard several times, so you know it's the real deal.
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Social Club: Italy's 1980s Pop Music
Friday April 25th from 5:30 to 9:30pm
We will serve an antipasto board of the day ($18 pp) and you choose the wine you want to taste from the current offerings listed on the blackboard (price varies). What’s staying the same is that we will keep the turntable spinning with your or our vinyl collection. Always BYOV – Always be Social! No reservation needed for parties of 1-3. For group of 4 and more, call between 12PM and 6PM Tuesday through Sunday to make your reservation at 617-945-2360. (No refunds - No cancellations).
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Harvard Art Museums
April 24th, 29th & May 1st
April 24th, 5:00 – 9:00pm
Harvard Art Museums at Night
We’re keeping our doors open late for an evening of art, fun, food, and more!
April 29th, 6:00 – 7:30pm
Annual Henri Zerner Lecture: Dutch Art and Rewilding Art History
Caroline Fowler of the Clark Art Institute will discuss the concept of “rewilding” in nature conservation and in the context of 17th-century Dutch landscape painting.
May 1st, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Film Screening and Panel Discussion: Ancient Beacons Long for Notice
In 1977, NASA launched “Golden Records” that represented the best of Earth’s cultures. Dario Robleto’s film interrogates the project.
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TEDxHarvardSquare
April 26th
The Harvard Square Business Association is delighted to welcome our newest member TEDxHarvardSquare!
Dear HSBA Members and Friends:
I wanted to share something exciting—TEDxHarvardSquare is happening for the first time ever next Saturday at Dx, and I’d love for you to be a part of it. We just joined the Harvard Square Business Association, and I’m so excited to help launch this event right here in the heart of the neighborhood.
This year’s theme is Hope for All Mankind, and it’s going to be a powerful day of inspiring talks, immersive discovery sessions, and meaningful connection. We’re bringing together thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and creatives to explore what a hopeful future can look like—and how we can build it together.
Grab your tickets here. Would love to see you there—it wouldn’t be the same without you!
Caleb Moulema
TED Member
TEDxHarvardSq Licensee
Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard
ORIION VENTURES, Founder & CEO
"The world is a fine place and worth fighting for," I agree with the second part.
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Industrious
April 29th
You're invited to Industrious Harvard Square!
Come join us for a fun and productive Industrious Coworking Day! Whether you're a freelancer, entrepreneur, student, or just someone looking for a fresh workspace, this is your chance to connect, collaborate, and get inspired. We'll be gathering at our vibrant coworking space on the 5th floor at 20 University Rd — grab your laptop, your favorite notebook, and your best ideas!
Sign up and register here!
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Arrow Street Arts
May 9th
8:00pm
Tessa Lark, violin, Joshua Roman, cello, Edgar Meyer, double bass
Tessa Lark, at once a widely praised violinist and acclaimed Appalachian fiddler, is more than a performer: she’s a convener of adventurous, up-for-anything collaborators. For this concert, she’s assembled an accomplished trio that spans the generations, bringing together artists who blend and play with genres.
Lark blends the elegance and expressiveness of her classical training with the spontaneity and verve of bluegrass and mountain music. Her joyful style sets a beautifully collaborative tone when paired with bassist Edgar Meyer and Oklahoma-born cellist, composer, and curator Joshua Roman.
Program details: Sanders Theatre
J.S. Bach | Sonata for Viola de Gamba in G Major, BMW 1027
Edgar Meyer | String Trio No. 1 (1986)
Edgar Meyer | Trio (1988)
Edgar Meyer | New Trio
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SEE
May 11th
The hottest spring styles are finally here! Swing into SEE during our Spring Trunk Show to shop fresh frames in ultra-limited quantities. Plus, snag a FREE gift while supplies last, and up to $125 off Rx eyewear until May 11th!
See store for complete details.
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The Charles Hotel
May 13th & May 15th
May 13th
HARVARD AUTHOR SERIES:
Flying in from Norway, join Dr. Nashater Deu Solheim at The Charles Hotel to kick-off our Harvard Author Talks on Tuesday, May 13th!
Dr. Solheim will be exposing the hidden psychology in high stakes negotiations, including cognitive biases, setting up a room to body language signals, and how to handle the most difficult personalities from her work with criminal psychopaths.
View her TEDx talk “what working with psychopaths taught me about leadership”
Doors open 5:30pm
Purchase tickets here.
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Beginning May 14TH
VOLO SPRING CORNHOLE LEAGUE
Beginning May 14th for 6 weeks, join Volo every Wednesday from 6:30-8:30pm in the Hotel’s lower courtyard for 2v2 Cornhole.
Registration closes May 8th.
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May 15th
POTTERY ON THE PATIO
Join Pottery with a Purpose for a fun, beginner-friendly pottery class at One Reason Garden Bar at the Charles Hotel on Thursday, 5/15 from 6-8PM! Register here.
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Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology
May 15th
6:00 - 7:00pm
Conversation and Exhibition Preview | Castaway: The Afterlife of Plastic
Geological Lecture Hall, 24 Oxford Street
Leer en español
TRES
Ilana Boltvinik. Instituto de Artes Plásticas, Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico; 2016 Gardner Fellow in Photography
rodrigo viñas. Independent artist; 2016 Gardner Fellow in Photography
Conversation moderated by Madeline Murphy Turner, Emily Rauh Pulitzer Curatorial Fellow in Contemporary Drawings, Harvard Art Museums
Castaway: The Afterlife of Plastic by the art collective TRES, is an art-research project that investigates plastic’s enduring presence in global ecosystems. Since 2016, TRES has searched for and photographed marine debris and plastic that has washed up on the Australian shores of Queensland, Western Australia, and Tasmania. Using photography, maps, and collected artifacts, the collective documents how plastic castaways of contemporary culture become embedded in landscapes—often unnoticed yet ever-present. Castaway’s visual poetry, mimicry, and humor aim to prompt reflection on humanity’s materiality, use, and deep entanglement with plastic. At the same time, the project speculates about new forms of coexistence in which life and synthetic matter evolve together in unexpected ways.
Presented in Spanish with English translation. A reception and exhibition preview will follow in the galleries of the Peabody Museum.
Free and open to the public. Free event parking at the 52 Oxford Street Garage
Advance registration recommended
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DXArcade
May 17th
12:00 - 7:00pm
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Saint Paul's Choir School
May 17th
Love to Sing? Audition for Saint Paul’s Choir School!
Calling all young men who love to sing! Saint Paul’s Choir School is holding open auditions for the 2025-2026 school year. Join a tradition of excellence where rigorous academics and world-class musical training are fostered on a daily basis. Please join us on May 17th to start exploring the possibility of joining our community of faith and friendship, where young men are able to discover their God-given gifts and talents through a rewarding Choir School education.
Take the first step—schedule your audition today on our website, www.saintpaulschoirschool.us
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Cambridge Center for Adult Education
May 18th
Of Course! 2025
Let’s come together and celebrate all that is best about CCAE on May 18!
Join us for Of Course!, CCAE's festive annual gala benefit party. This always-lively event provides CCAE with a vital source of funds for our ongoing viability, scholarship program, and community outreach programs.
Tastes provided by Bar Enza, Everybody Gotta Eat, Felipe's Taqueria, Honeycomb Creamery, Harvest, The Hourly Oyster Bar, Henrietta's Table, Mamaleh's Delicatessen, Mimi's Chūka Diner, Nirvana Taste of India, Orinoco Kitchen, Pagu, Pammy's, Sarma, and SOURCE.
Get tickets today!
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Harvard Museum of Natural History
Through Fall 2025
New Exhibit - Emeralds
26 Oxford Street
Emeralds is a new, intimate collection of stunning crystals, gemstones, and jewelry on display in the Earth & Planetary Sciences Gallery.
Highly coveted by a wide variety of cultures, emeralds have played a significant role in shaping human history, helping to facilitate trade and even build empires. From rough stones to sophisticated jewelry, emeralds continue to captivate with their beauty and historical significance, symbolizing luxury and power across cultures and eras. While emeralds are rare, they can be found in countries throughout the world, including Colombia, Madagascar, and Egypt, to name a few. Emeralds formed inside rocks millions of years ago. Those from South Africa are known to be about 2.9 billion years old, while Colombian emeralds date back over 48 million years! The unique characteristics of emeralds provide valuable insights into the processes that formed them. With the use of new AI technologies, scientists are making major advances in unraveling their stories and tracing their origins.
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Bon Me
Bon Me Turns 14 - Let's Celebrate!
From a single food truck in 2011 to the Bon Me locations across the the greater Boston area you know and love today, it's been 14 years of bold flavors, big dreams, and the best fans around.
To celebrate, we're serving up $14 meal deals all month - because what's a birthday without great food?
The OG: The Namesake + Thai Basil Limeade
The Innovator: Craft Your Bowl + Deviled Tea Egg
City Hall Combo: Food Truck Fave + Spicy Ginger Lemonade
*Available in store and online until 4/30/25.
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Harvard Athletics
Cambridge Day is coming this year on April 19!
Harvard Athletics is launching a new annual event to bring the Cambridge community together for a day of celebration, connection, and Crimson spirit. Selecting one of its most action-packed Spring weekends, this first annual event celebrates the City of Cambridge and welcomes community members to come and cheer on the Crimson across multiple sports.
Get 50% off tickets for our Men’s Lacrosse game at 12 Noon against Cornell and our Women’s Lacrosse game at 4pm against Yale by using PROMO CODE HSBA25 when purchasing here.
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Harvest
Graduation Season Is Here!
Celebrate & earn a gift for the grad. Host your graduation celebration with us this May or June, and we’ll gift your graduate a special treat. Reach out to our Events Manager Nami more information.
Spend* $1,500 | Enjoy a $100 gift card
Spend $3,000 | Enjoy a $200 gift card
Spend $5,000 | Enjoy a $400 gift card
*Minimum spend applies to food and beverage only. Gift cards are valid for a future visit.
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Irving House
Irving House is offering $10 off per night Sunday-Wednesday, 2 night minimum. This discount shows on our website when booked before April 30th and the stay is early in the week.
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Off the Beaten Path
Food Tours
Fridays, Saturdays and private tours are available.
Calling all chocoholics! Join us for a delectable adventure through historic Harvard Square. You'll hear interesting stories about the Square, learn fun facts about chocolate and sample the best and most interesting chocolaty treats around. Harvard Square has a flourishing food scene with some of the best and most unique food in the city. Each tour is a fun 90 minutes and includes 4 stops with plenty of treats and less than a mile of walking. We can't wait to take you on a unique, chocolate adventure!
This tour is suitable for all ages. $40/pp. Guests must purchase tickets in advance. Use code HARVARDSQUARE and enjoy 10% off!
Harvard Square Food Tour
Haven't been to Harvard Square lately? Do you know we have a tiki bar?
Revisit Harvard Square on our new FOOD TOUR!
Booking Saturdays at 11:30am, this memorable experience is offered weekly. You'll eat a satisfying array of yummy eats, from Greek to Latin to the best pizza in the world. Tour also includes a Mai Tai or yummy mocktail.
Harvard Square Donut Tour Sunday's from 11am-12:30pm. This tour delves into the history of donuts, and it's fun for locals and visitors.
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Rebekah Brooks
For the last weekend in April, RBJ will be offering 20% off all wedding band sales and orders. This event only happens once a year and it is our deepest discount.
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University Place Parking Garage
University Place Reverse Summer Special Monthly Parking
$250
24/7 Access, unlimited in and out May thru August.
Regular Rate applied in September
New Customers Only
$10 set up fee applies.
For more information, please call 617-491-0801
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Cambridge-Ellis School
The Cambridge-Ellis School has a limited number of openings remaining in our afternoon preschool Language Immersion Programs in French, Spanish, and Chinese (Mandarin) for the 2025-26 school year.
In addition, in September 2025 we will be launching a new afternoon Mandarin class for Grades K-3, subject to licensing approval.
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Community Charter School of Cambridge
Sponsorship Opportunity: CCSC's Senior Internship Exhibition Night
Community Charter School of Cambridge (CCSC) is a small, charter public school serving students in 6th-12th grade with a proven track record of closing gaps and expanding access and opportunity for all students. The school's hallmark Senior Internship Program equips every 12th-grade student with hands-on, real-world experience in industries such as finance, technology, healthcare, business, and more. In their second semester, students work alongside professionals every Wednesday developing essential career skills and completing meaningful projects.
Senior Internship Exhibition Night takes place on Wednesday, May 28th at The Foundry and provides CCSC seniors with the opportunity to reflect on their experience and present their work to an audience of 300+ community members, including industry leaders, educators, and families. Your sponsorship of this event provides students with valuable resources while demonstrating your commitment to educational equity, expanding economic opportunity, and fostering the next generation of professionals. It’s also an opportunity to strengthen your connection to Cambridge and the greater Boston community. Please email Elizabeth Debraggio if you have questions or are interested in sponsoring this event. A full sponsorship proposal is available here.
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Distressed Children & Infants International
Request for used Smartphones, iPhones, iPads, Watches, or Imitation Jewelry to Support Our Humanitarian Mission
Dear Friends,
I hope this message finds you well. I am reaching out with a heartfelt request: Do you, or anyone in your family or network, have used smartphones, iPhones, iPads, watches, or imitation jewelry that you could donate to our humanitarian mission?
These items are urgently needed to support underprivileged children, their families, and communities in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. Your contribution, no matter how small, will make a meaningful difference. Any help you can provide would be deeply appreciated.
Your generosity and support are invaluable in helping us combat poverty, hunger, child labor, child marriage, preventable blindness, natural disasters, and environmental/climate challenges. We are truly grateful for any assistance you can offer.
Thank you in advance for your kindness and support.
Warmest wishes and best regards,
Dr. Ehsan Hoque
https://distressedchildren.org/
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Grendel's Den
Support for a memorial bench in Winthrop Park!
Sue Kuelzer hailed from Bexley, OH and made her home in Cambridge, where she started restaurants including Grendel's Den. As a business-woman, she was committed to serving the community by improving the public space, including Winthrop Park. Please support her work and the ongoing maintenance of the park by making a donation at check out.
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The Harvard Crimson
Calling all local restaurants, businesses, and community members!
The Harvard Crimson is publishing its special edition Commencement newspaper (Harvard University’s graduation day). With over 30,000 attendees at Commencement, we are offering advertising opportunities in our paper to the Cambridge community!
And, if you are a local restaurant we are also offering advertisement trades, for an equal value amount of meals.
Our student reporters remain at the College to put together the Commencement paper, and these advertisement trades are what allow us to support their work and engagement with the community!
Lastly, for any parents out there who are looking forward to celebrating their kids, The Harvard Crimson offers special Parent Ads to congratulate the graduates!
If you are interested in a Commencement advertisement, please reach out to Isadora Millay by April 25th to secure your spot!
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Harvard Federal Credit Union
Join Harvard FCU's Stepping Strong team! Track your steps during the month of May to support trauma research and innovation.
To learn more and join, click here.
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Jose Mateo
Ballet Theatre
Call for Vendors!
Get Involved for the 15th Annual Dance for World Community Festival
Feature your business at Greater Boston's largest and most popular indoor/outdoor dance event! Become a vendor for José Mateo Ballet Theatre's Dance for World Community Festival in the heart of Harvard Square.
Saturday, June 7, 2025
12:00-6:00PM
Harvard Square – Mass Ave in between Putnam Ave and Bow St
Learn More and Apply
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for the event, please reach out to Yummi Wang ywang@ballettheatre.org
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Calling All Dance Activists! Join 2025 Dance for World Community Conference
Beyond its usual role as recreation, entertainment or spectacle, how can dance in America be a force for positive change?
Dance for World Community proposes that dance is particularly well suited to effective advocacy and activism. Inherently social, dance is universally understandable, has great potential to bring diverse people together across cultural divides and can quickly build trust and community cohesion.
In the Dance for World Community Conference, we will examine different initiatives and models, exchange ideas and begin to build the necessary networks to strengthen our efforts to make a difference. Through this shared process, we will rouse the advocate and activist in each of us.
June 5-8
Harvard Square
Learn More and Register
Presented by José Mateo Ballet Theatre in partnership with Cambridge Arts Council, Massachusetts Peace Action, the Harvard Square Business Association, as well as conference partners The Charles Hotel and Industrious.
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J.P. Licks
April featured flavors
Fruity Pebbles Cereal Milk Ice cream, Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Chip Ice Cream, Oatmeal Cookie Hard Yogurt, Dairy Free Black Raspberry, Celtics Pride Ice Cream, and Awe Shucks Ice cream.
J.P. Licks has partnered with Broadway in Boston and have released an exclusive flavor to celebrate Shucked the Musical in Boston, Awe Shucks, a buttered corn ice cream with a touch of salt.
We also have a fun goody or goodies coming out with the word "upside-down" in it, so get excited!
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Life Alive
Our chefs and James Beard award winner, Jamie Bissonnette, have teamed up in the kitchen to create some culinary magic together! Introducing the Sesame Garlic Bibimbap Bowl—which brings together Life Alive’s artful, nutrient-rich food philosophy and Jamie’s love of Korean cuisine inspired by his mother-in-law, Soon Han.
Enjoy this limited time bowl that's as energizing as it is delicious with crispy sesame tofu, chili garlic mushrooms, mineral-rich seaweed salad, kimchi and colorful asparagus, carrots, beets & a perfectly fried egg. Available until May 31st.
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Nubar
View Nubar's spring menu here.
Nubar will be participating in MayFair! We look forward to seeing everyone there!
Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer
Nubar is participating in Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer. From May 9th – May 15th, we will feature a special dessert – 100% of the proceeds goes to breast cancer awareness and research.
Mother's Day Brunch Buffet
11:30am – 5pm (last seating at 3pm). $65/adults, $30/kids 12 and under, free for kids 5 and under – includes coffee, juice, or soft drinks. This will also be the opening day for our outdoor patio. After the buffet, we will be serving our regular dinner menu/regular hours.
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Cardullo's Gourmet Shoppe
Cardullo’s Gourmet Shoppe has been honored to serve the Cambridge and Harvard communities for over 70 years and has expanded to the neighborhoods in Boston’s Seaport since 2018.
Our customers have come to rely on us for the finest of wines, chocolates along with artisan cheeses and charcuterie and for the perfect food gifts, and gourmet foods from around the globe.
We are happy to assist you with your catering orders, wine selections, corporate gifts and any occasion gift boxes.
Cardullo’s Gourmet Shoppe has been family owned and operated since 1950, and we're proud to carry products from our local partners throughout New England.
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Harvard Square
Business Association
Two Brattle Square, Mezzanine
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 491-3434
www.harvardsquare.com
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Click here for a list of hiring businesses
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