Extra! Harvard Square's Iconic Newsstand Will Stay Open

Despite fears that an era may be coming to an end, the landmark "Out of Town Newsstand" in Harvard Square will remain open.

WBUR's Abigail Beshkin reports.

The new operator, Mike Patel, says he will keep the newsstand the same, and he's promising to sell at least as big a variety of international publications as the newsstand sells now.

MIKE PATEL: Whatever people ask for, we're going to get it because this location is historical place and the population in this community is diversified.

Patel owns Pembroke-based Muckey's Corporation and operates newsstands and convenience stores around the state.

He'll pay the city of Cambridge $140 a square foot in monthly rent.

New Jersey-based Hudson group has been operating the newsstand since the original owner sold it almost 15 years ago. Hudson decided not to renew its lease, saying the newsstand wasn't profitable enough. The new owner takes over Sunday.