Famed Cambridge coffee chain Darwin’s Ltd. announced the closure of all four of its locations on Wednesday, just two weeks after disclosing plans to close its original Harvard Square location.
Owners Steven and Isabel Darwin announced in an Instagram post that they are retiring and closing the chain’s locations on Cambridge Street, Massachusetts Avenue and Putnam Avenue. Location. Since 1993, the Darwin family has owned and operated the coffee chain, which has grown in popularity for its sandwiches.
“We thank the thousands of employees, customers and the City of Cambridge for allowing and supporting our family business’ 30 years of experience and success,” Darwin wrote in an Instagram post.
The announcement comes less than a month after Darwin announced the closure of the chain’s original location on the hill. Auburn St., citing workload and personal health concerns. Although the lease was extended until December. On Wednesday, January 1, the owners said they had reached an agreement with the Darwin Union, the staff union, to close the site on November 11. twenty two.
Closing dates for the other three locations are still undetermined, pending a response from Darwin’s United, Darwins added.
In response to the initial closure, members of the Darwin Federation organized a rally at Cambridge Town Hall on 12 October. On the 29th, the owners were called on to ensure the employment of workers in mountainous areas. The Auburn location, which raised wages to $24 an hour, offered three weeks of paid time off, and provided health care with zero deductibles.
The decision to close the chain follows a long-running effort by staff in Darwin to unionize and secure a new contract with extra guarantees. Tensions between unions and ownership came to a head last month when union members protested outside Darwin’s home in Cambridge.
Regular customer Rebecca Patterson said she was disappointed to lose a longtime local business.
“I hope the negotiations with the union go better because I think there could have been a way forward,” Patterson said.
Alexandra C. Stanton, a member of the Harvard Graduate Student Union, previously called the Mt. Auburn location a tactic that “could demoralize and intimidate workers.”
Before their announcement last Wednesday, the Darwins said they planned to work in good faith with the union to retain as many staff as possible.
According to Cambridge Day, Auburn’s place will be replaced by a bakery.
— Staff Writer Kate Delval Gonzalez can be reached at kate.delvalgonzalez@thecrimson.com.
– Staff Writer Brandon L. Kingdollar can be reached at brandon.kingdollar@thecrimson.com.Follow him on Twitter @newskingdollar.