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| Porter Square's current location | |
In October, Porter Square Books is moving its flagship store in Cambridge, Mass., to a space that is 40% larger and about 300 yards away on Massachusetts Avenue from its current location. The new space is in the Porter Exchange Building, which was originally a Sears department store and is now owned by Lesley University and includes some retail on the first floor in addition to classrooms and administration offices.
"This move is a terrific opportunity to provide for the long-term growth of Porter Square Books," co-owner David Sandberg said. "It allows us to move to a bigger, nicer space in an iconic building right on Mass. Ave., with a landlord that is focused on community building and local business. Lesley University sees a partnership with PSB as a way to build stronger ties to the Cambridge community, and we're happy to be an important part of that effort."
Co-owner and marketing director Josh Cook added, "Buying a building in the Porter Square neighborhood was never going to be a possibility for us, but having a landlord that understands the value we bring to the community and works to cultivate that value matters. Lesley made it clear that they want to be that kind of landlord."
And Lesley University president Janet L. Steinmayer welcomed the store, saying, "We can't think of a better home for Porter Square Books than Lesley's University Hall, and we are looking forward to the grand opening this fall. Our students, staff, faculty and visitors will certainly enjoy browsing and discovering authors in their area of interest. I'm delighted Porter Square Books is joining locally-owned businesses in University Hall."
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| Porter Square Books' future home | |
The new store will be fully renovated and include all new fixtures from Franklin Fixtures. It will offer more space for both the bookstore and the café, have two customer bathrooms and two for staff, have more office space, and be ADA compliant. The space is also closer to the Porter Square T stop than the current location, has bike parking under an awning, and offers free parking on nights, weekends, and for the first 45 minutes on weekdays--more and easier parking than the current store.
Porter Square Books' café, Café Zing, will not be making the move to the new location. Cafe Zing owner Mark Ostow said that "the new building didn't feel like the fit for us" and will remain in the Porter Square Shopping Center.
Page & Leaf Café will be the store's new cafe and has origins in three Somerville shops: Diesel Café, Bloc Café, and Forge Baking Company & Ice Cream. Courtney Verhaalen, the longtime CEO, will join Jennifer Park and Tucker Lewis in ownership of Page & Leaf Café. Park said, "We are beyond excited to be partnering with Porter Square Books. [They have] become a staple fixture in the local community and Page & Leaf Café is so grateful to be a part of its new home."
One last major event at the current location will be a 20th anniversary party on Saturday, September 28, from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will include cake, refreshments, activities, speeches, and tours of the new space.