Harvard Book Store is set to open a new location this fall at 33 Union Street in Boston, near Faneuil Hall Marketplace and along the historic Freedom Trail. The new store will operate alongside its longstanding Cambridge flagship on Massachusetts Avenue, continuing the independent bookstore’s nearly century-old presence in the region.

Jeffrey Mayersohn, co-owner and president of Harvard Book Store, described the Union Street location as having a similar atmosphere to the Cambridge shop, noting its exposed brick and large windows. The new site will offer a broad selection of titles, a dedicated children’s section, and space for events, mirroring many features of the original store.

A notable addition will be an adjoining café operated by Lakon Paris Patisserie, known for its croissants and currently operating in several Boston-area neighborhoods including Newton, Brookline, Brighton, and the Seaport. Mayersohn said the café will provide an experience not previously possible at the Cambridge location and add amenities such as wine service during book talks.

This expansion follows a previous, larger-scale plan announced in 2022 to open a second location inside Boston’s Prudential Center, occupying a 29,000-square-foot space vacated by Barnes & Noble. That project was canceled in 2024 due to supply chain issues and rising costs attributed to the pandemic. The Union Street space is considerably smaller, totaling 5,000 square feet, with 3,500 devoted to books and 1,500 to the café, making it a more feasible endeavor.

Mayersohn and his wife Linda Seamonson co-own the bookstore alongside principal owners John and Linda Henry, who also own the Boston Globe. The Henrys invested in the business during the pandemic to support its recovery and growth. Linda Henry noted the choice of the Union Street location was influenced by its central position in a lively area filled with restaurants, historic sites, and year-round foot traffic. She emphasized the intent to create a destination bookstore with a rich history and a children’s section tailored to the neighborhood and its visitors.

While the new store will maintain Harvard Book Store's signature focus on academic and scholarly works, the mix will be adjusted to better reflect the local Boston customer base, according to general manager Lisa Jayne. “We’re hoping it feels the same—that you walk in and immediately feel smarter for being in there,” Jayne said.

The building at 33 Union Street formerly housed Paddy O’s pub and Saus eatery. The space was leased from Cypress Realty Group, whose former chief operating officer Sasha Nisenbaum highlighted the significance of locating the bookstore in a site once home to Yankee magazine, a nod to its regional publishing history.

Renovations are currently underway to convert the space from its empty shell condition. Trinity Building and Construction Management Corp. is managing the construction, while RODE Architects is responsible for the design.

The new opening adds to a growing number of bookstores launching in the Boston area in recent years, despite the challenges posed by digital retailers. Other recent entrants include Justbook-ish in Dorchester, Lovestruck Books in Harvard Square, and Beacon Hill Books & Cafe on Charles Street.

After facing difficulties during the pandemic, Harvard Book Store’s Cambridge location reported its highest sales revenue in the most recent fiscal year. Mayersohn expressed optimism that the new store will build on this momentum and offer a blend of innovation and tradition for the bookstore’s future.