Business Archives - Cambridge | Somerville Independent

Tiny Turns Paperie grew into a browser’s paradise of puzzles, toys and games, mugs, magnets and hourglasses

by Linda Given September 24, 2026

Stationery was the focus of the store as it opened, and it remains serious about writing, but Tiny Turns grew and found room to add gifts and a miscellany of small items.

LET’S GET COFFEE

The newest kid on the block is Café+ by Pagu, where global fare includes Enso’s dusted Taiwanese doughnut

by Corky White September 23, 2026

Tracy Chang, chef-owner of Pagu has opened a small café with a global menu within the new home of MIT's School of Architecture and Planning.

BITE

Spicy chicken sandwich at bb.q

by Marc Levy September 23, 2026

$8 The quest for a great spicy chicken sandwich goes on, having not ended at the bb.q franchise opening in Davis Square this past month. That inspired a chance at redemption from 2023, when I ate at...

BUSINESS

Most Armory arts building leases are approved, but Somerville lacks a plan to fill its remaining spaces

by Marc Levy September 23, 2026

An argument for giving more responsibility to Arts at the Armory, the building’s longtime nonprofit anchor tenant, comes at staff from three directions.

FOOD

Yafa Bakery & Café looks to convert empty space in Davis Square into its second location

by Marc Levy September 22, 2026

The Yafa Bakery & Café plans an expansion within Somerville, taking over the old Posto restaurant site in Davis Square after a vacancy of 1.8 years.

BUSINESS

Eastern Bank is shrinking in Harvard Square, opening 10,000 square feet to retailers at Smith plaza

by Marc Levy September 22, 2026

After years of complaints about the presence of banks in Harvard Square, a bank is giving up some of the square’s most prominent real estate.

DEVELOPMENT

Cambridge grapples with two lawsuits about zoning requiring affordable homes from private developers

by Marc Levy September 21, 2026

Two lawsuits challenging inclusionary zoning are set to be discussed in a closed-door City Council session, but staff expects to keep rates as they are.

BUSINESS

What was once Clover’s kitchen near Inman Square could become open to all in Redevelopment Authority plan

by Marc Levy September 21, 2026

The former Clover fast food location near Inman Square could become Cambridge’s first commercial kitchen as part of a CRA mission to spark economic opportunity.

BUSINESS

The Half Shell closes in Porter Square, making way for a sandwich lover’s haven called The Sub Shop

by Marc Levy September 18, 2026

The Half Shell’s Greek-style pizzas, calzones, pastas and salads are gone, but The Sub Shop, a buzzy transplant from Boston, specializes in artist-level sandwiches.

DEVELOPMENT

Gentle changes can fix Cambridge’s multifamily zoning and keep the construction coming, staff says

by Marc Levy September 17, 2026

Changes to multifamily zoning don’t need to stop the flow of homes being built or take away its status as the most permissive in the state, staff told city councillors.