Cambridge — A longtime neighborhood gathering place has shut its doors along Massachusetts Avenue after more than two decades, and the future of the business now hinges on a proposed move a few steps away.
Legacy coffee shop leaves Porter Square location
Simon’s Coffee Shop, which for 23 years occupied 1736 Massachusetts Ave., closed Monday, the cafe said in an Instagram post inviting customers to a farewell at the space. The closure comes as the building is slated to be torn down to make way for a six-story mixed-use development by Old North Development.
The shop, well-known among locals and students for its carefully presented lattes and seasonal drinks, was sited between the Porter Square stop on the MBTA Red Line and the campus of Lesley University. That location made it a regular stop for residents, commuters and college students alike.
“If Simon's has been a part of your daily routine at some point in the past 23 years, we'd love for you to join us in our farewell to the space,” the cafe wrote on Instagram. “Bring your friends! Bring your family! Come to see the people in your community that you might not have seen in a while!”
Owner expects to continue the shop nearby
Owner Simon Yu told Cambridge Day that he expects to keep the business going across the street at 1741 Massachusetts Ave. He said he is "very happy that we can continue the shop's legacy, and continue offering the same products and services," according to the report. However, he also told the outlet that a formal agreement for the new site has not been finalized or signed, and he could not provide a re-opening date.
- Old site: 1736 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge — closed after 23 years
- Potential new site: 1741 Massachusetts Ave. — expected but not yet finalized
- Development: Building at current address to be replaced by a six-story mixed-use project by Old North Development
What the change means for the neighborhood
Small, long-running cafes like Simon’s often act as informal community centers, particularly near transit hubs and university campuses. The announcement of the closure and a potential nearby relocation raises several local considerations: continuity of jobs for cafe staff, preservation of a neighborhood gathering spot, and the broader effects of new development on pedestrian activity and small-business patterns along Massachusetts Avenue.
While the move across the street would keep the brand and its offerings accessible to the same foot traffic that relied on the original location, the absence of a signed agreement means patrons and employees are left without a clear timeline. The developer’s plan to replace the existing building with a six-story mixed-use project is part of a broader trend of redevelopment in Cambridge that has repeatedly reshaped retail and dining options on major corridors.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Original address | 1736 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge |
| Potential new address | 1741 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge (not finalized) |
| Years in operation | 23 years |
| Planned development | Six-story mixed-use project by Old North Development |
The farewell Instagram message invites former regulars and newcomers alike to stop by for a final cup, underscoring the cafe’s role in daily routines: morning coffee before the Red Line, study sessions for students, or an afternoon meeting spot. Whether the business can preserve that role in a new space depends on the terms of the pending agreement and how quickly the relocation, if confirmed, can proceed.
For now, the closure marks the end of a chapter for 1736 Massachusetts Ave., even as the owner signals an intent to preserve the shop’s name and offerings nearby. Residents and patrons will be watching for formal announcements about a lease or reopening date at 1741 Massachusetts Ave.
WE NEWS will monitor updates on the lease negotiations and the Old North Development project and report further details affecting Porter Square and the surrounding Cambridge community.
