One of Greater Boston’s most beloved independent bookstores is preparing for a new chapter.
Harvard Book Store has announced plans to open its second location at 33 Union Street in downtown Boston, just steps from Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. The upcoming store will take over the 3,500-square-foot historic Yankee Publishing Building in the city’s oldest commercial district, Blackstone Block.
“We’ve been looking to open a second location for years so bringing Harvard Book Store to Boston is very much a dream fulfilled,” said Jeff Mayersohn, who co-owns the store alongside Linda Seamonson. “People become booksellers because they love books and they love the communities that develop around indie bookstores… We’re proud to be building a new store, while our flagship in Cambridge continues to thrive.”
While the new location will carry the same carefully curated mix of academic, literary, and popular titles that readers have come to expect from the original Cambridge store, it will also introduce several exciting new additions.
The space will feature a dedicated children’s area celebrating Old Boston and the Freedom Trail, which passes directly outside the store’s front door. The bookstore also plans to expand its event offerings, including author talks accompanied by wine service.
And books won’t be the only draw. Harvard Book Store is partnering with Lakon Paris Patisserie to open an adjoining 1,500-square-foot café. Known for its beautifully crafted croissants, danishes, breads, and other French pastries, the local bakery currently operates four locations throughout Greater Boston.
“We’ve known the folks at Lakon Paris Patisserie for a few years now and like them enormously,” said Mayersohn. “Their pastries are both delicious and works of art. So, we’re excited to help introduce them to a new neighborhood.”
Founded in 1932 by Mark S. Kramer with just $300, Harvard Book Store has spent nearly a century establishing itself as an iconic literary institution. The original Cambridge location will remain open and continue offering the same author events, knowledgeable staff, and vibrant community atmosphere that have made it a go-to destination for readers across the globe.
“Our expansion is, in part, an affirmation of the critical role that independent bookstores play in supporting the free expression of ideas, through public discourse and the printed word, at a time when such discourse faces increasing challenges,” wrote the Harvard Book Store team in the announcement. “We hope, when visiting either store, you will experience that commitment.”
The new store has been designed by RODE Architects, while Trinity Building and Construction Management Corp. has already completed demolition work and begun construction. If all goes according to plan, Boston book lovers will be browsing the shelves in the fall of 2026.
