Friday, April 26, 2013

Shake Shack Is Opening in Cambridge's Harvard Square

[Ed note: This article was updated on October 10 to reflect the fact that Shake Shack will indeed be coming to Harvard Square.]

Last month a popular New York-based burger stand opened its first Boston-area location, and now it looks like a second outlet could be coming to the region, and this one may be opening in one of the busiest sections of Cambridge.

A Twitter post sent to us this evening indicates that Shake Shack is eyeing a location on JFK Street in Harvard Square, though an article in The Crimson says that nothing is written in stone as of yet, as no public announcement has been made, with a manager for the company says that "At this point we have submitted an application to the city for a special permit, and we will not be in a position to make a formal announcement until the board has reviewed and approved our application."

[May 21 update: The City of Cambridge reviewed the special permit for Shake Shack's proposed location in Harvard Square earlier this month, though we have not yet been able to learn about any decisions that were made at the meeting. As soon as we do, another update will be posted here.]

[June 18 update: According to a new License Commission General Hearing page, Everest Crossing LLC at 57 JFK Street "is petitioning to involuntarily transfer said license to Shake Shack Harvard Square Boston, LLC d/b/a Shake Shack, Daniel Tavan, Manager." The note for the hearing, which takes place a week from today (Tuesday, June 25), also says that the proposed Shake Shack would have seating for 110 inside, with 24 more seats on an outdoor patio, and hours being from 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM daily.]

[October 10 update: The Harvard Crimson is now reporting that Shake Shack is definitely coming to Harvard Square, with construction beginning this week and an apparent opening by the end of the year. One note: The official address appears to be 92 Winthrop Street, not 57 JFK Street (though it appears to be the same building). Thanks to BostonTweet for bringing the Crimson story to our attention.]

[December 10 update: The new Shake Shack has not yet opened in Harvard Square (and a Facebook post says that there is no set date as of yet), but the Harvard Square Business Association mentions that the restaurant will be giving out free cups of its house-made dark hot chocolate at its future home on Winthrop Street on Saturday, December 14 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.]

[December 16 update: Eater Boston says that the new Shake Shack in Harvard Square is hoping to open during the first week of January.]

[December 24 update: PigTrip mentions on its Facebook page that the new Shake Shack in Harvard Square has actually opened, though it is only serving shakes, concretes, and custards for the time being (its full opening won't take place until January).]

[January 2, 2014 update: According to a page on the restaurant's website, the new Shake Shack in Harvard Square opens at 11:00 AM today.]

In March, Shake Shack opened its first Boston-area restaurant in Chestnut Hill, offering such items as burgers, hot dogs, frozen custard, and shakes.

The address for this upcoming restaurant in Harvard Square is 92 Winthrop Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for Shake Shack can be found at http://www.shakeshack.com/