Harvard Square’s Curious George store to stay open under apparent long-term deal

The Curious George store in Harvard Square—the only one of its kind in the world—is staying in the area under what’s apparently a long-term lease with its landlord.

Recall that the retail outpost appeared doomed under redevelopment plans for its building and others at John F. Kennedy and Brattle streets smack-dab in the middle of Harvard Square.

Those plans include a new four-story building at the existing 9-11 John F. Kennedy Street and renovations to 1-7 JFK and 18-24 Brattle. The work likely would’ve met much higher rents for the Curious George store—thus the likelihood it was doomed.

Those plans are still under city review, but now, according to a release from landlord-developer Regency Centers, Curious George “will remain in its current location at the corner of JFK and Brattle Streets in the Abbot Buildings until Regency receives city approvals for renovations and begins construction. Curious George will move to a temporary location in another part of the building during construction.”

The store will then get a more permanent home near its current spot.

The duration of the agreement between Regency—which took over the Harvard Square project from original developer Equity One—and the retailer isn’t clear, but Cambridge Day is reporting it’s a “long-lease” with “favorable” terms for both sides (according to a Regency rep).

• Curious George Store gets long-term home in developer’s revised Harvard Square plan [Day]
• Major Harvard Square redevelopment to get public airing [Curbed Boston]