12 STEPS TO SAVING CREMA, AND OUR COMMUNITY
1. We admitted we were powerless over our addiction FOR CREMA.
2. We came to believe that THE COMMUNITY greater than ourselves could restore CREMA TO HARVARD SQUARE. 
4. We made a searching and fearless REAL ESTATE inventory of HARVARD SQUARE. This system of out-of-state landlords and chains taking over is unsustainable. Sure--for now they can fork out $360/sqft to push local competition out. They are riding on the coattails of OUR REPUTATION, OUR BRAND, OUR ASSETS. 
5. We admitted the exact nature of THE FAILINGS OF OUR COMMUNITY TO EMPOWER LOCAL MERCHANTS. THE LOCAL GUYS --Crema, Cardullo's, Motto, Black Ink, etc. give a SENSE OF PLACE, AUTHENTICITY, SOUL. WE GOTTA PROTECT THEM.
6. We're entirely ready to have OUR COMMUNITY, OUR CITY COUNCIL, OUR FAIR CITY TO RESTORE WHAT IS NEAR AND DEAR TO US.
7. We humbly ask THE COMMUNITY, COUNCILLORS AND CITY TO POOL OUR COLLECTIVE ENERGIES. 
8. We ARE MAKING A LIST OF ALL BUSINESSES WE HAVE LOST. For example, could we bring the Tasty back? Who's up for reinstating the gothic Wursthaus facade? GRAB A SHOVEL, LET'S DO THIS CAMBRIDGE! 
9, 10, 11: Elaboration on the last 8 steps
12. Having an awakening as the result of these steps, we can carry this message to other CREMA ADDICTS (BY SPREADING NEWS OF THE PETITION-SHARE THIS LINK ON FACEBOOK AND/OR EMAIL CHAINS TODAY!) and to practice these principles OF ESTABLISHING FAIR, EQUITABLE AND SUSTAINABLE LEASING IN THE SQUARE FOR THE LOCAL INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES WORTH SAVING. 

CREMA IS AN ANCHOR IN HARVARD SQUARE. IF IT CAN'T SURVIVE, WHAT CAN? In addition to satiating you Red Crema loves, Lemonade sippers, Choc chip cookie gorgers, we gotta SHOW OTHER LOCAL MERCHANTS THAT WE COMMIT TO THEIR SUCCESS AND LONGEVITY. 

FINALLY, THE CREMA SITUATION IN A NUTSHELL:

"Even though the manager has left to create her own new business venture elsewhere, long time Crema owner, Tom Brush, wants very much to reopen Crema in Harvard Square if he can get a good long term lease and the right spot. And we want him to do so! There are lots of vacant stores available here, but too many of the current property owners are investment groups and are holding out (years sometimes). Only with public action and support will we be able to keep local businesses in business." -Suzanne Blier, Harvard Professor of Fine Arts and of African and African American Studies and President, Harvard Square Neighborhood Association (HSNA) 

Want to get involved? HSNA and other Cambridge neighborhood groups will host a City-Wide summit:  "HOW BIG IS TOO BIG?" 

When: Saturday January 12, 2019, 4 PM – 6 PM
Where: Cambridge Senior Center. 806 Mass. Avenue.
Description: What do you want for a more Livable Cambridge? Join comedian JIMMY TINGLE  and Cambridge neighborhood and other leaders  to address key issues on the future of our city, FREE EVENT! RSVP at bit.ly/bigmeeting1 
Contact Suzanne.Blier@harvardsquareneighborhood.org for more information.