Out of Town News [Hudson News] - Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA - Newstands / Newsagencies on Waymarking.com

"Out of Town News" is an institution literally in the middle of the road in busy Harvard Square, Cambridge. Cars going west-north on Massachusetts Avenue pass close by the rear of the building while cars going south-east must detour onto Kennedy and then Mt. Auburn Street, passing the front of the newsstand. People who take the T also pass by going to Harvard or one of the many shops and offices here. It is often used as a meeting place for people, because it is so visible.

The most notable feature of this shop is that, in addition to the many common magazines and newspapers that shops have, this one devotes many shelves to MANY foreign language publications originating from points all over the world.

When I arrived at 7:00 am it was open for business. There are publications displayed both outside and inside (I didn't take an inside shot - will have to visit another time). There is a ticket booth-like window for the vendor near the door so that you could pay outside for a quick getaway, or you can go inside and browse some more, and get an item to eat (candy, soda, etc.). The shop is not on my way to work, but this time, I decided to extend my ride on the T to see it. While there I did buy some magazines (see picture). Of these, Sky and Telescope is produced in Cambridge, Technology Review is an MIT publication, and The Economist had an office in Cambridge.

And the most newsworthy item about this shop is: it may be closing.

As reported in a bunch of news sources, including the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald, and New England Cable News: Hudson News, a large chain that operates this store, announced on November 19 that it was likely not going to renew its lease at the end of January, 2009. The reason given was that the business has not been profitable since people now use laptops and computers and read the news in the local shops or other areas where people sit. I did happen to read it in print form, first, then I watched a news article on TV.

The shop was first run by the Sheldon family. Sheldon Cohen's father (name not given in the source I'm using) started it when "Coolidge was President" (1923-29). Sheldon took over the business in 1955. At one point he decided to call up newspapers around the world to ask for copies of their newspapers after getting frequent inquiries from people for their hometown paper. Cohen is still alive, but sold the operations years ago.

So, has the time come for newsstands such as this one, especially after receiving news of some major publications ending their print editions? Will this waymark be archived after January 2009? Stay tuned, and visit NOW!

New England Cable News Link (has both text and a video):
(visit link)

Boston.com/Boston Globe News Link (Has a picture of the interior):
(visit link)

Boston Herald Link:
(visit link)

Seasonal: From: 01/01/2008 To: 12/31/2008

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Date Logged Log User Rating   07/12/2018 lesden visited it 08/08/2013 tipete visited it 12/14/2008 Mountain_Wanderer visited it

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