Stores Will Be Weekend's Real Winners

Regardless of which crew gets named Head of Charles tomorrow, the real winners this weekend will be Harvard Square merchants.

With over 200,000 people expected in Cambridge for the event, businesses are gearing up for what they expect to be a commercial boon.

Philip Nini, owner of the newsstand Nini's Corner, says, "Head of the Charles is going to bring in a lot of business. It's one of our better weekends because students from all over the country come to Harvard Square and bring in more money."

The camera store Ferranti-Dege should be a particularly hot-spot this weekend, considering the number of parents and tourists expected in town.

"I like anything which brings people into the Square," says Jim Casey, the store's floor manager.

Although Casey says that his store doesn't preorder more film for the event, he anticipates that his store's supplies will get drained after the weekend.

Even businesses that don't specifically cater to the weekend's activities are getting excited.

Stephen Zedros, an employee at and nephew of the owner of Brattle Square Florist, says this Sunday will be particularly busy.

"Plants and flowers are impulse items. A lot of people who are staying here with friends or relatives will buy them as gifts," Zedros says.

Some specialized businesses say they are making advance preparations for the event.

Preston Owen, an employee at the Crimson Sports Grille, says, "Everyone's told us its going to be a very busy weekend.

Owen says the bar will be bolstering its staff and security to handle the increased crowd.

Dimitri Tragos, manager of J. August, a Harvard paraphernalia store which has been at the same location in the Square since 1891, says that his store will be carrying commemorative t-shirts.

"Harvard Square is like a mecca for shoppers in many ways. Everyone's going to benefit from this event. It's too bad we can't have it every month," Tragos says.