Baking News: Le Macaron French Pastries Opens in Harvard Square

Harvard Square officially welcomed Le Macaron French Pastries in a grand opening event Saturday.

Located on Massachusetts Avenue, Le Macaron is a Black-owned business offering a selection of French macarons and pastries, as well as gelato and European-style coffee. The shop first opened its doors on Aug. 12 during Black Business Month, but held off its official grand opening celebration until nearly a month later.

“We have been just well received by the community, the students, the locals, the Harvard Square Business Association, and particularly the Cambridge Savings Bank,” co-owner Karine Ernest said.

Cambridge City Councilor E. Denise Simmons attended the grand opening. Simmons, the former mayor of Cambridge, spoke at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and congratulated the business on its opening, calling it “a sweet, delightful surprise”.

Ernest called the business her “lifelong dream” during the ceremony.

“Thank you to all those in Harvard Square. Thank you to my friends and family, my children for coming out here to support me,” Ernest said.

David I. Heller ’79, a close friend of the owners who enjoyed a bubblegum macaron, called the establishment a “delicious addition to the Square” and a “nice place on date night.”

Two of Le Macaron’s employees are current Harvard students.

Joseph W. Hernandez ’25, who works at the shop, praised the store’s management, saying he appreciates that “they are willing to hear from the people that are working there.” He called both owners, Karine and Emmanuel Ernest, “nothing but great.”

Le Macaron sits in what was previously an office space for the Cambridge Savings Bank. Karine Ernest called the bank an “incredible partner in this journey” of launching the pastry store.

She also previewed new flavors planned for the holiday season.

“For Christmas, we offer a gingerbread Christmas macaron, and then we also offer, in November, Pumpkin,” she said.

Noting that “it’s taken long” to set up Le Macaron in the Square, Karine Ernest advised other aspiring entrepreneurs to be persistent.

“Never forget your dream and pursue that dream, and don’t be discouraged,” she said. “The whole process may take longer than you anticipated, but if you stick by it, you’ll get there.”

“We are super excited to be in Harvard Square” Enest added. “We love the community, and we’re having fun.”

—Staff writer Kate Delval Gonzalez can be reached at kate.delvalgonzalez@thecrimson.com.