Cambridge Legacy Businesses

Armando's Pizza and Subs

Established in 1971.  Armando's  is the oldest business in Observatory Hill. Historical photo courtesy of Cambridge Historical Commission.

Formaggio Kitchen

Established in 1974.  Formaggio Kitchen , originally established in Harvard Square, is dedicated to discovering the finest specialty food around the world. Photos courtesy of Formaggio Kitchen.

Pemberton Farms

Established in 1930.  Pemberton Farms  is one of Cambridge's oldest family-owned and independent market and garden centers. Photos courtesy of Permberton Farms

Aladdin Auto Service

Established in 1993.  Aladdin Auto Service  provides auto repair services as well as a growing collection of sculptures and machines. In 2000, the Boston Phoenix wrote about the owner Mahmood the following, "He'll fix your shocks, he'll change your oil, and he'll align your wheels, but what Mahmood Rezaei-Kamalabad really wants to do is restore your spirit."

Adams Fireplace Shop

Established in 1908.  Adams Fireplace Shop  is one of the oldest businesses in Alewife-Fresh Pond.

Elite Barbershop

Established in 1910.  Elite Barbershop  is one of the oldest businesses along North Massachusetts Ave.

Commonwealth Lock Company

Established in 1936.  Commonwealth Lock Co.  is a family-owned business and the oldest business in Porter Square. Photo courtesy of Cambridge Historical Commission.

Cafe Sushi

Established in 1984.  Cafe Sushi  is one of the first restaurants in Cambridge to offer sushi and Japanese cuisine. Located between Harvard Square and Central Square, it has remained family-owned and operated for over 37 years. Historical photos courtesy of Cafe Sushi.

Arrow Dry Cleaners

Established in 1986,  Arrow Dry Cleaners  is one of the oldest family-owned dry cleaning establishments in Cambridge. Fun facts - one of the business's famous customers, Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, dedicated one of his poems Folding Sheets, to the business.

Photo courtesy of Arrow Dry Cleaners and Cambridge Historical Commission.

Hong Kong Restaurant

Established in 1954.  Hong Kong Restauran t is one of the oldest family-owned restaurants in Cambridge. The Hong Kong Restaurant is a full-service establishment with a full dining room on the first floor, a lounge on the second floor, and a dance floor on the third floor. Historical photos courtesy of the Hong Kong.

Grolier Poetry Book Shop

Established in 1927.  Grolier Poetry Book Shop  is Cambridge's oldest independent bookstore.

Cambridge Savings Bank

Established in 1834.  Cambridge Savings Bank  is the oldest local bank in Cambridge. This photo shows the bank's Harvard Square location in 1955. Photos courtesy of Cambridge Historical Commission.

Leavitt & Peirce

Established in 1883.  Leavitt & Peirce  is one of the oldest retail businesses in Harvard Square and the city. The first photo shows the business in 1900. Historical photo courtesy of Cambridge Historical Commission.

Brattle Square Florist

Established in 1917.  Brattle Square Florist  is Cambridge's oldest florist. This photo shows the store in the 1930s. Photo courtesy of the Cambridge Historical Commission.

Irving House at Harvard

Established in 1945.  Irving House  is Cambridge's oldest independent Bed & Breakfast. Photo courtesy of Cambridge Historical Commission.

Keezer's Classic Clothing

Established in 1895.  Keezer's  is the oldest men's clothing store in Cambridge. This photo shows Keezer's on Massachusetts Ave. Photos courtesy of Cambridge Historical Commission.

Clothware

Established in 1972.  Clothware  is one of the oldest women's clothing stores in Cambridge.

Guitar Stop

Founded in 1962,  Guitar Stop  is one of the oldest musical instrutment and lesson business in Cambridge. The business is also one of our family-owned businesses. Photos courtesy of the business owner.

Cambridge Naturals

Established in 1974.  Cambridge Naturals  is the oldest independently owned natural and organic food store in the city and is family-owned. Photos courtesy of Cambridge Naturals.

Healthworks Fitness

Established in 1984. Healthworks Fitness is family-owned and is Cambridge's oldest women's fitness studio. Historic photo courtesy of Cambridge Historical Commission and interior shot courtesy of Healthworks Fitness.

Jae Hun Kim Taekwon-do Institute

Established in Cambridge in 1993. Th e   Jae Hun Kim Taekwon-do Institute  was established in 1974 by Grand Master Jae H. Kim, and the Cambridge location was the "first" branch and is now owned by lead instructor Jae Hwang. The institute has helped thousands of Cambridge residents lead happier, healthier lives.

Broadway Bicycle

Established in 1972.  Broadway Bicycle School  started as the Bicycle Repair Collective and is one of the oldest worker-owned cooperatives in Cambridge.

Photos are courtesy of the Cambridge Historical Commission.

Yayla Tribal Rugs

Founded in 1983,  Yayla Tribal Rugs  is one of Cambridge's oldest international rug stores. The business is family-run and produces and sells hand-woven carpets and kilns made with all traditional materials and techniques from Afghanistan, India, Nepal, and Iran.

Great Eastern Trading Company

Established in 1969.  Great Eastern Trading Co.  is Cambridge's oldest vintage shop. Photo courtesy of the Cambridge Historical Commission.

John's Barbershop

Established in 1910.  John's Barbershop  is one of the oldest businesses in Central Square. Photo courtesy of the Cambridge Historical Commission.

India Pavilion

Established in 1979.  India Pavilion  is one of the oldest Indian restaurants in the Cambridge region and is family-owned. Photos courtesy of Indian Pavilion.

Teddy Shoes

Founded in 1957.  Teddy Shoes  is Cambridge's oldest specialty dance store and continues to be family owned and operated. Photos courtesy of Teddy's Shoes.

The Dance Complex

Founded in 1991,  The Dance Complex  is one of the City's oldest dance centers. The Dance Complex is primarily housed in an 1884-circa, 5-story building, originally built as meeting rooms for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a philanthropic fraternal brotherhood. Today, over two dozen dance forms, including those whose origins hail from all corners of the globe, have a home at The Dance Complex.

Photos courtesy of The Dance Complex.

University Staionery Co.

Established in 1929.  University Stationery Co . is Cambridge's oldest stationery store. The business is family-owned.

S&S Restaurant

Established in 1919.  S&S Restaurant and Deli  is one of Cambridge's oldest restaurants and the oldest deli. Photo courtesy of Cambridge Historical Commission.

Courthouse Seafood

Established in 1912.  Courthouse Seafood  is family-owned, one of East Cambridge's oldest businesses and Cambridge's oldest fish market. Photo courtesy of Cambridge Historical Commission.

Kendall Flower Shop

Established in 1942.  Kendall Flower Shop  is Kendall Square's oldest retail establishment. Photo courtesy of the Cambridge Historical Commission.

Cambridge Brewing Company

Established in 1989.  Cambridge Brewing Company    is one of the City's premier locations for fresh, handcrafted beers and seasonally driven New England cuisine.

Historical image courtesy of the Cambridge Historical Commission.

Cheapo Records

Established in 1954.   Cheapo Records  has been an iconic record store in the Cambridge community for over 60 years, dedicated to preserving the magic of music and vinyl. 

Historical image courtesy of the Cambridge Historical Commission.

Zina's Hair Salon

Established in 1998.   Zina’s Hair Salon  continues to uphold its mission of maintaining healthy growing hair for its clients in Cambridge.

Central Square Florist

Established in 1929.  Central Square Florists  is a fourth-generation family business serving generation after generation and building a reputation for providing exceptional service with fresh, high-quality flowers and plants along the way.

Historical image courtesy of the Cambridge Historical Commission.

Hubba Hubba

Established in 1978.  Hubba Hubba  has been at the forefront of underground alternative fashion for 41 years. Born from a vintage and punk store, They have grown into a sex positive alternative store becoming an integral part of the Cambridge alternative community.

Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage

Established in 1960.  Mr.Bartley’s Burger Cottage  has been serving perfect hamburgers in Harvard Square for over 60 years. Customers line up down the block each day at lunch for a coveted seat, devouring a meal from their unique menu.

Historical image courtesy of the Cambridge Historical Commission.

Cambridge Artists Cooperative

Established in 1988.  Cambridge Artists Cooperative  is a small, veteran art gallery featuring various handmade clothing, tableware, gifts & other items.

Historical image courtesy of the Cambridge Historical Commission.

Charlie's Kitchen​

Established in 1988.  Charlie's Kitchen  is a Bare-bones local institution for late-night burgers & beers, plus a year-round beer garden.

Colman Electric Inc

Established in 1989.  Colman Electric  Inc is a family-owned company that prides itself on customer service and connecting with their neighborhood and customers.

Daniel R. Spirer Jewelers

Established in 1982.  Daniel R.Spirers  is a long-time designer of handmade, custom jewelry, committed to quality, craftsmanship, and customer service.

Frank's Steak House

Established in 1938.  Frank's Steak House  is a throwback chophouse that has been serving up delicious steaks and creating unforgettable memories. They are known for their thick slabs of beef.

Royal Pastry Shop

Established in 1941.  Royal Pastry Shop  is a family-run bakery for Italian & American pastries, cookies, pies & custom cakes.

Seven Stars

Established in 1988.  Seven Stars  is a Homey shop that features a wide range of New Age books & precious stones in a down-to-earth atmosphere.

The Door Store

Established in 1959.  The Door Store  is a small, family-run store offering built-to-order furniture focusing on desks, tables & shelving.

Pandemonium Books & Games Inc

Established in 1989.  Pandemonium Books & Games  is a book & game shop focusing on the science fiction, horror & fantasy genres, plus frequent events.