Harvard Square Art Centre Closes

Since 1961, Cambridge artists have looked to the Harvard Square Art Centre on Holyoke Street to keep them stocked with art and framing supplies.

But next month, the family-owned shop is slated to go out of business after 32 years of service. Like numerous other small, local stores, it has fallen prey to the recent recession.

The character of the Square has changed distinctly since the store first opened, said co-owner Michael P. Brodsky.

"Harvard was a very different place back then," said Brodsky, who started working for his family's business at the age of 13. "It was more of a bohemian and hipper kind of a place."

Brodsky and his sister and co-owner Jane B. Fitzpatrick will go different ways when they close up shop next month.

"For a long time, it was something that produced a good living for us," Brodsky said. "But the recent recession and competition in general has changed people's shopping patterns. It's harder for small independent stores to advertise and compete."

'Great Place' for Stores

Kristin S. Demong, president of Harvard Real Estate, however, said Harvard Square is a "great place to do business."

"Harvard Square has been able to be more recession proof than other parts of the greater Boston retail market, although we have not been able to be totally free of the pressure," she said.

Hope A. Perlman, a regular customer of the Art Centre who says she tries to patronize independent businesses, blames the situation on rising rents in the Square.

"I'm usually suspicious about things closing down around the Square-that's prime real estate," she said. "I think the chain stores can pay higher rents than small businesses."

Although expecting a future upward trend in rents, Demong said rents for Square property have been steady for the past few years.

"Overall, in terms of our own portfolio, the commercial rate has been relatively stable," she said.

Brodsky said his reasons for closing shop were personal, and that real estate pressures were not an important factor in his decision.

Harvard Cooperates

"A lot of people assume that [Harvard] Real Estate is throwing us out and that's not the case," Brodsky said. "Harvard has been very cooperative with us."

Emphasizing the importance of diversity among businesses, Demong said no replacement for the shop has yet been found.

"Every space is unique and our challenge is to make sure that we have tenants who complement each other rather than compete with each other," she said. "Having the right tenant is much more important than just having occupied space."

Judy A. Ryan, an art teacher, said she would be sorry to see the shop go.

"There aren't many other places around," said Ryan, who described herself as a regular customer for 15 years. "It hits close to home when a store I regularly go to is not there anymore.

'Great Place' for Stores

Kristin S. Demong, president of Harvard Real Estate, however, said Harvard Square is a "great place to do business."

"Harvard Square has been able to be more recession proof than other parts of the greater Boston retail market, although we have not been able to be totally free of the pressure," she said.

Hope A. Perlman, a regular customer of the Art Centre who says she tries to patronize independent businesses, blames the situation on rising rents in the Square.

"I'm usually suspicious about things closing down around the Square-that's prime real estate," she said. "I think the chain stores can pay higher rents than small businesses."

Although expecting a future upward trend in rents, Demong said rents for Square property have been steady for the past few years.

"Overall, in terms of our own portfolio, the commercial rate has been relatively stable," she said.

Brodsky said his reasons for closing shop were personal, and that real estate pressures were not an important factor in his decision.

Harvard Cooperates

"A lot of people assume that [Harvard] Real Estate is throwing us out and that's not the case," Brodsky said. "Harvard has been very cooperative with us."

Emphasizing the importance of diversity among businesses, Demong said no replacement for the shop has yet been found.

"Every space is unique and our challenge is to make sure that we have tenants who complement each other rather than compete with each other," she said. "Having the right tenant is much more important than just having occupied space."

Judy A. Ryan, an art teacher, said she would be sorry to see the shop go.

"There aren't many other places around," said Ryan, who described herself as a regular customer for 15 years. "It hits close to home when a store I regularly go to is not there anymore.