Comrades, Cremrades: 

Friday’s Annual Meeting of the Harvard Square Business Association (HSBA) is a time for the businesses, merchants and members to gather and mingle--a time to affirm Harvard Square as a vibrant retail and service district bringing world-class experiences. 

However we have seen one by one as Harvard Square's beloved businesses, from Crema to Chipotle, shutter their doors, unable to pay the skyrocketing rents. While HSBA reports that around 70% of businesses are local, the reality on the ground for storefronts is far grimmer. Under 50% of Harvard Square storefronts are local or independently-owned businesses, and nearly 15% of storefronts are vacant. With the massive construction projects for the next two years, Harvard Square is on track to become a ghost town unless we act quickly. Will Harvard Square be saved in time? 

Of the nominated Board of Directors to serve for the next (3) years, the slate includes (2) commercial property owners, Harvard University, a home wine import/export business and a non-profit. There's only (1) local merchant with a storefront who is on the ballot--and they're a new business having opened less than a year ago. 

Community members are planning to release new Harvard Square Storefront Data and call for an EMERGENCY REFERENDUM to implore HSBA members to act IMMEDIATELY before the whole Square goes under. 

Nominated HSBA Board of Directors 2019-2021

• Chris Dalton, Asana Partners
• Sam Stiebel, Regency Centers
• Tom Lucey, Harvard University
• Bertil Jean-Chronberg, Black Donkey Project
• Shoshanah Garber, Black Sheep Bagel Cafe
• Jennifer Fries, Cambridge School Volunteers