Harvard Sq. Greenhouse Coffee Shop Closes

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statler

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The Metro said:
Harvard Square?s Greenhouse shuttered
by greg st. martin / metro boston
APR 24, 2007
CAMBRIDGE.

As Kathy Nini sat at a table in the Greenhouse Coffee Shop, her late husband?s Harvard Square restaurant, she painfully turned away about 20 customers who walked in during a half-hour span yesterday morning. That?s because yesterday marked the first day in which the popular Cambridge institution had closed its doors for good.

The restaurant, known for its cake, all-day breakfast and unique painted mirrors to create the feel of an actual greenhouse, opened in 1977 and only closed twice annually ? for Thanksgiving and Christmas. But, after Nini?s husband, Joseph, passed away recently, she?s been told the restaurant would have to close down.

?I?m glad my husband wasn?t here to see this. He?d be devastated,? Nini told Metro. ?All our regulars have said is, ?Where are we going to eat our breakfast??

When reached yesterday afternoon, Richard Getz, the property?s manager, would only say the restaurant is closing because the owner passed away, and there are a few ?exciting options? as to what will move into the location.

Over the years, a handful family-run businesses in Harvard Square have given way to larger corporations. But, according to Denise Jillson, the Harvard Square Business Association?s executive director, a lot of thought is put into keeping local businesses in the area when others leave.

?I think there needs to be a good mix,? said Jillson, adding there are 350 retail stores and 90 restaurants in Harvard Square. ?You need the larger corporations as an anchor. You couldn?t just have locally-owned businesses because people come to depend on the Gap or Origins, which was even locally owned until a few years ago.

?When you?re dealing with so many property owners, it?s a challenge,? she said. ?But there?s a really thoughtful process that takes place about who takes the space available."
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Damn, I was just there two weeks ago. Its in a great location, so whatever takes its place should thrive
 
While I love independent restaurants/greasy spoons/coffee shops and the Greenhouse had some character, I had the worst steak and eggs I've ever had in my life there.
 
Well, at least we still have Leo's Place and Lee's on Church St. for plenty of diarrhea.
 
NOOOOOOOO!!!!! :cry:

I used to work at the Harvard COOP and regularly ate there. They had a 3 egg omelet that could hit the spot like nothing else. At ZenZen said, at least there is Leo's. Not a big fan of Lee's though.
 
Though I was never a fan of the Greenhouse (I'm a Darwin's, Charlie's, Bartley's guy) this is yet another case of "someplace" becoming "anyplace" (see Kenmore Sq. for details)...

I'm curious to see what the meaning of "exciting options" is...I hope it doesn't mean a Quizno's...
 
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