For more than seven decades, Charlie’s Kitchen has been a staple of Harvard Square, known for its double cheeseburgers, affordable drinks, and late-night atmosphere. On Saturday, longtime patrons gathered outside the iconic Eliot Street eatery to purchase memorabilia as the establishment faces an uncertain future following extensive damage.

The restaurant, which originally opened in 1951, has remained closed since January after a dishwasher malfunction led to water damage and the collapse of part of the ceiling. Owner David Oshima, who took over the business in 2025, confirmed that the building will require significant renovation. Proceeds from Saturday’s sale of items such as beer tap handles, glasses, menus, and photographs will contribute to efforts to restore Charlie’s Kitchen or support potential future ventures.

“Though it’s been difficult, hearing everyone’s stories about why they want a piece of Charlie’s brings me some happiness,” Oshima said as the event concluded. He added that if restoration proves unfeasible, he intends to open another restaurant elsewhere to continue the tradition symbolized by Charlie’s signature double cheeseburger.

Many visitors shared personal connections to the establishment. Anne Holtzworth, 64, of Cambridge, first started frequenting Charlie’s as a Harvard student in 1980. “It was pretty basic then—just the double cheeseburger and beer,” she recalled. Holtzworth continued coming back through graduate school and alumni reunions, appreciating the restaurant as one of the few remaining remnants of an earlier era in the neighborhood.

Carlos Vega, 45, a Boston native, brought his 4-year-old son Vinny to experience Charlie’s for the first time. Vega described many visits with his wife, including their first date, and recalled enjoying double cheeseburgers with jalapeños while listening to metal music on the upstairs jukebox. “Charlie’s Kitchen’s a little sentimental place for us,” he said, selecting beer tap handles for his home kegerator.

Younger patrons also reflected on the restaurant’s role in the community. Harvard doctoral student Alex Reed, 28, noted Charlie’s represented an accessible gathering spot that bridged students and locals. He fondly remembered celebrating his master’s degree with friends and family at the restaurant and sought memorabilia that bore the establishment’s name.

For many, Saturday’s sale became more than a commercial event. Old friends reunited, families exchanged stories, and longtime customers passed down memories to newer visitors. Deborah Haverty, 71, a Cambridge educator who once worked at Charlie’s, recalled meeting her late husband there some 45 years ago. She expressed a desire to create art honoring that connection using items from the sale.

Attendees also emphasized the restaurant’s broader social significance. Stacey Heath, 38, who works in the music industry, described Charlie’s as a disappearing kind of community hub. Her friend Ali Iaria, 39, a music therapist, echoed those sentiments while gathering beer tap handles at the event.

As Charlie’s Kitchen confronts an uncertain future, the collective efforts of its patrons and owner reflect a shared commitment to preserving the legacy of a Harvard Square institution.