The COOP debuts new Concept Store; developed by Tishman Speyer

Allston, MA The Harvard Cooperative Society (The COOP), a cornerstone of the Harvard and MIT communities since 1882, has hosted 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, 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 said, “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 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 s/f 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.