Bruegger’s Store Remains Unreplaced after Closing

Over a month after Bruegger’s Bagels closed its Harvard Square store, the company that operates the Garage still does not know what will replace the bagelry, said John DiGiovanni, president of Trinity Properties.

The store, which was in the Garage for the last 14 years, could no longer compete in the Square bagel market, said Sandra Rose, formerly the store’s general maganager.

“The problem really was oversaturation in the area,” Rose said.

According to Rose, sales began to drop around two years ago, around the time that Finagel A Bagel opened its store on JFK St.

“We’ve been wanting to be in Harvard Square for a long, long time,” said Heather Robertson, a spokesperson for Finagel A Bagel. “It’s a wonderful location.”

The shop, which is considerably larger than Bruegger’s had been—occupying two floors—has done brisk business in the square, Robertson said.

But many Harvard students remained loyal to the older bagelry to the end.

“Finagel A Bagel is pedantic drivel... as opposed to Bruegger’s, which I found rather stimulating and fun,” said Matthew S. Burr ’03.

The slightly greater proximity of Bruegger’s to the river Houses was also a draw.

DiGiovanni agreed that Bruegger’s will be missed.

“Many places work hard to get here,” he said. “Bruegger’s was a welcome addition to Harvard Square and we are not happy to see them go.”

—Staff writer Eugenia B. Schraa can be reached at schraa@fas.harvard.edu.