my son’s favorite hangout
When I visited Cambridge, Massachusettes this February – knowing my son would be moving there after graduating in June – I walked the neighborhood around his workplace to try to imagine what his life would be like. When I hit The Coop just a few blocks away, it was pretty easy to start imagining a happy life for him there.
He’s an economist, and its economics section is as big as many bookstores.
He’s a fiendish fiction reader, and its fiction section is … just wow!
It has a terrific cafe.
It’s been around since 1882. Which is pretty amazing.
I spent a good bit of time poking around with my friend, Jenn DuChene. And have returned every time I’ve been back. It alone is a fine reason to visit Cambridge.
My son assures me you say “coop,” not “co-op.” But The Coop is a co-op, originally started by students all those years ago, and with a portion of its profits going back to members. And – this is really lovely – the annual membership fee is only $1, as it was in 1882.
It is, quite simply, one of the most gorgeous bookstores I’ve ever been in. – Meg
