New retail destination at The Atlas Hotel reimagines the traditional bookstore as a hub for culture, community, and discovery
BOSTON— The Harvard Cooperative Society (The COOP), one of the nation’s oldest and iconic university bookstores, has opened a new concept store in Allston that reimagines the future of retail by blending books, curated merchandise, cultural programming, and community engagement into a single destination.
Located within The Atlas Hotel at Harvard University’s Enterprise Research Campus (ERC), the new COOP Concept Store is designed as a prototype for a next-generation retail experience where visitors are encouraged to discover, connect, and participate rather than simply shop.
The concept store represents an important milestone in The COOP’s broader transformation strategy as the 144-year-old institution adapts to changing consumer expectations while remaining deeply connected to the Harvard and MIT communities it has served since 1882.
“This concept store is our boldest statement yet about The COOP’s future,” said Jodi Goldstein, CEO of The COOP. “We think of it as a living lab—a place to experiment, learn, and reimagine how we serve our community. Every event we host, every product we introduce, and every conversation we have will help shape the future of The COOP across all locations.”
Goldstein said the opening represents far more than another retail location.
“This is about much more than opening another store,” she said. “It’s part of a broader transformation for The COOP as we evolve beyond retail into a destination for community, discovery and engagement so we can continue to serve our community in meaningful ways for another 150 years.”
The new store occupies space within The Atlas Hotel, a recently opened boutique lifestyle hotel located at the gateway to Harvard’s Enterprise Research Campus, the mixed-use innovation district being developed by Tishman Speyer. The location places The COOP alongside a growing ecosystem of researchers, entrepreneurs, students, visitors, and neighborhood residents.
Designed to function equally well as a bookstore, neighborhood gathering place, and cultural venue, the space features warm wood finishes, patinated copper accents, soft textiles, and floor-to-ceiling windows that create a seamless connection between the interior and an outdoor patio.
Rather than relying on fixed retail displays, the store incorporates flexible, movable furnishings that allow it to transition throughout the day—from a bookstore during business hours to an event venue for author talks, live music, artist showcases, community gatherings, and cultural programming in the evenings.
“Our inspiration came from some of the world’s most engaging retail and community spaces—from Tokyo and Seoul to Copenhagen, London, and Milan,” said Adrian Gill, Chief Marketing and Brand Officer of The COOP. “Movable, multi-purpose fixtures allow the space to easily evolve over time. Curated vinyl playlists tie back to our legacy, the days when we had a 10,000-square-foot record store. The result is a place designed to foster interaction and memorable experiences. We can’t wait to see how people engage with it in the years ahead.”
The carefully curated merchandise reflects that philosophy. Alongside books, visitors will find Harvard and MIT vintage collections, premium stationery from Japanese brands Postalco and Hightide, the iconic Stendig Calendar, art and design books, travel titles curated by Monocle, vinyl records selected in partnership with Boston’s Vinyl Index, Polaroid cameras and film, Japanese incense, Flamingo Estate candles, and specialty gifts and snacks.
The opening also complements the broader vision for The Atlas Hotel, a 246-room boutique property that combines hospitality, design, dining, and flexible gathering spaces as part of Harvard’s expanding Enterprise Research Campus. The hotel features multiple event venues, a rooftop bar overlooking the Boston skyline, and is positioned to serve visitors to Harvard Business School, the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the growing innovation district.
Established in 1882, The COOP is the oldest and largest university bookstore in the United States. Organized as a member-owned cooperative, it has long served the Harvard and MIT communities while remaining open to the public. The organization says the concept store represents its vision for the future—one centered on creating experiences, fostering meaningful connections, and building community through thoughtfully curated spaces and programming.
The COOP Concept Store is located at 40 Western Avenue inside The Atlas Hotel in Allston. The organization plans to host year-round author events, artist pop-ups, live performances, and community programming as it continues to test and refine its new retail model.
