The COOP Announces Grand Opening of Concept Store, Showcasing New Model for Retail
Located within The Atlas Hotel on Harvard University’s Enterprise Research Campus, The COOP Concept Store blends curated merchandise, books, culture, and community in a prototype for the next generation of retail
BOSTON, July 23, 2026 — The Harvard Cooperative Society (The COOP), a cornerstone of the Harvard and MIT communities since 1882, today announced the grand opening of The COOP Concept Store, a prototype for a new model of retail shaped by culture, design, and discovery rather than transactions. The COOP Concept Store’s debut within The Atlas Hotel on Harvard’s Enterprise Research Campus (ERC), developed by Tishman Speyer, thoughtfully blurs the lines between bookstore, neighborhood, gathering place, and cultural destination.
“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 added, “This is about much more than opening another store. 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 store’s design centers on warm woods, patinated copper, soft textiles, and globally sourced details that layer texture and depth into an intimate footprint. Floor-to-ceiling windows blur the boundary between the interior and an adjacent outdoor patio, flooding the store with natural light and creating a seamless connection to the street.
Inside The COOP Concept Store, adaptable furnishings let the space transform as needed, turning a bookshop by day into an event venue by night. The COOP plans to host a range of events throughout the year, including author book talks, artist pop-ups, live music, community gatherings, and other cultural programming.
The selection of products inside the store is as intentional as its design. Highlights include a Harvard and MIT curated vintage collection, premium stationery from Postalco and Hightide, the iconic Stendig Calendar by Massimo Vignelli, a vinyl record collection curated in collaboration with local record shop Vinyl Index, art and culture books, travel titles curated by Monocle, Flamingo Estate candles, Japanese incense, Polaroid cameras and film, and a selection of sundries and snacks.
“In designing our newest location, we sought inspiration from stores and gathering spaces from Tokyo to Copenhagen, London, Seoul, 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 COOP Concept Store is located at 40 Western Ave. in Allston, Massachusetts. Details on hours and upcoming events are available at thecoop.com.
About The COOP
Established in 1882, The COOP is the oldest and largest university bookstore in the country. It is deeply rooted in the tradition and fabric of the Harvard and MIT communities with a long history of supporting student groups and initiatives. The COOP, as a cooperative, is owned by its members, yet open to all. The COOP of the future will build on its storied history and will continue to evolve, enhancing the value it provides and reimagining what it means to be a member. The vision is to curate experiences that captivate and unite — a new model of modern retail and community engagement, leveraging innovative collaborations, products, and spaces, all designed to spark new ideas, forge meaningful connections, and strengthen community.
Media Contact: press@thecoop.com
About The Atlas Hotel
The Atlas redefines Boston hospitality as a new-age boutique lifestyle flagship hotel, blending design, culture and community in Allston, the city’s rising enclave for thought leaders and global travelers. Located conveniently between downtown Boston and Cambridge and managed by Highgate, The Atlas features 246 guestrooms, including 12 suites that offer modern amenities, eco-conscious spaces, and places to invite creativity and progress. At the gateway of Allstonway and the Enterprise Research Campus (ERC), The Atlas hosts a dynamic living room lobby leading to Ama at The Atlas, the signature restaurant from the James Beard Award Nominated team of Biplaw Rai and Nyacko Pearl Perry. Additional spaces include the sixth floor, capable of hosting over 1,500-square-feet of flexible meeting space and private events, as well as a fitness center and private 3,350-square foot outdoor terrace overlooking lush greenspace. On the 16th floor sits Foxglove Terrace, a 7,000-square-foot rooftop bar offering panoramic views of the Boston skyline. Poised to be an incubator for intellectual energy and cultural vibrancy, the hotel is located just steps from Harvard Business School and the John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. For more information or for booking inquiries, please visit theatlashotel.com and follow along at @atlashotelboston.