The Curious George Store in Harvard Square in Cambridge, Mass., is closing June 30 and will relocate to an undisclosed location in Central Square, the Boston Globe reported. In addition, owner Adam Hirsch told the Boston Business Journal that he has sold the business, although he wouldn't identify the new owner.
The store nearly had to move from its current site three years ago when the real estate firm that owned the Abbott Building wanted to create an indoor mall at the site. After that company was purchased by Regency Centers, another real estate company--and after a public outcry--Regency promised that Curious George would continue to have a place in the building. The renovations apparently are finally going to start soon, and a representative of Regency Centers said last week in a statement, "When we first acquired this property in 2017, the Curious George Store was something we were excited about having. It's a draw and a unique retailer that only a lucky few get to work with. Since then, we have had a great working partnership with Adam and discussions about their future at the Abbot. We are sad to see them go, but we respect their decision and truly wish them the best."
Hirsch told the Business Journal that "Harvard Square is expensive" and that Central Square is more appealing both because of lower real estate prices and the presence of many young families. "I like to think of it not as an end but as a mild move, down the road," he added.
Hirsch bought the Curious George Store, the book and toy store exclusively focused on Curious George, in 2011. Before that, it had been owned by Hillel Stavis and Donna Friedman, who had also owned WordsWorth and founded the Curious George Store in 1995.