Harvard Book Store cancels opening of Prudential Center location

By Nina Campanello

Harvard Book Store announced the cancellation of their in-progress plans to open a second location at Boston’s Prudential Center on Friday.

Image courtesy of Chris Rycroft/Flickr (licensed under CC BY 2.0 DEED)

The previously announced expansion, set to take over the space formerly occupied by Barnes and Noble, was planned to open in the spring of 2023. Amid several delays, the store finally announced that the second location would not be moving forward due to “ongoing disruptions to the supply chain and escalating costs,” as the construction industry continues to be impacted by the pandemic.

The Prudential location was set to be a “state-of-the-art event space” and offer “vibrant community spaces,” according to their original project announcement. Instead, the bookstore will focus its efforts on improving its flagship store in Harvard Square. The bookstore plans to “enhance the in-store experience, while continuing to enrich our commitment to customer service, our flourishing author event series, and our excellent inventory.”

In a statement, the bookstore said, “Despite exploring all available options, the lingering effects of the pandemic have continued to create considerable challenges for construction projects of this size and scope,” following the statement that the cancellation of the expansion was “humbling and disappointing.”

The store’s ownership also thanked its partners, John and Linda Henry, for their continued support. John Henry also owns the Boston Red Sox, as well as Boston Globe Media.

Despite the disappointing news, the bookstore extended its gratitude to the literary community of Boston for its “overwhelming support” following the announcement. The statement on Friday included how important these independent bookstores are to the community, “bookstores matter. They are an integral part of a deeply engaged community; places you turn to for inspiration, adventure, and learning,” the statement read. “Our top priority has always been to remain a healthy, thriving, independent bookstore — one that can continue to grow and serve our community for many years to come.”