Finding Bargains in Harvard Square

Attention Cambridge shoppers: blue-light specials abound--if you're willing to look around.

And, summer school students, now that you've got your room key and ID card, it's the perfect time to haul in the goods, making your palatial suite worthy of summer study.

If you're in the market for $9 pens, "I Love Cambridge" mugs and a staggering assortment of Harvard paraphenalia from sweatshirts to baby bottles, hit the Coop (rhymes with "poop" not "no top".)

The Coop has eliminated their housewares section, so you'll have to be overcharged for a fan elsewhere.

Consider, then, CVS (the bigger one, close to Store 24). You may want to start with Toiletries since the price is right for tissues, soap, shampoo and sunscreen and (let's not forget) deodorant. And they do have fans ($15 and up).

Bargain hunters can pick up a lam (top floor, all the way in the back), a trash can and a small fan--for a total of less than $25--at Dickson Brothers on JFK St.

For your stationery and school supplies, try Bob Slate on Church Street although CVS will certainly do. Definitely check out Buck-A-Book on JFK St. if you're in need of inexpensive birthday cards (2 for $1) for friends and relatives. It's a hidden gem of the Square.

For great gifts for new chums (or for yourself), explore the area's numerous music stores. Tower Records and HMV, the two music megastores of Harvard Square, offer frequent bargains and wide selection. In Your Ear, located on Mt. Auburn St., is an elusive have for used music at affordable prices. And if you have a VCR, don't forget VideoPros in The Garage--great selection, convenient location and reasonable rates.

If you're in the mood for summer reading (and Widener Library's tower of books seems too daunting), you've come to the right city; Cambridge is the proud home to dozens of eclectic bookstores. For the best variety, try either Wordsworth or the Harvard Bookstore (used books in the basement for 50 percent off), although the specialty bookshops, like the Grolier Poetry bookstore on Pympton St., are also worth exploring.

And if you can brave the stacks of the College libraries, go for it. The books there are free for the taking--er--borrowing.

Renting appliances may be an option of convenience, especially if you don't want to lug a newly-bought refrigerator or bulky fan back to the homestead once Aug. 15 rolls around. Check out the Harvard Student Agencies (HSA) Campus Store. HSA offers deals for renting tall 30" fans ($15 plus $15 deposit), refrigerators ($55 plus $35 deposit), microfridges ($105 plus $50 deposit), televisions and telephones. The Campus Store also sells lamps ($9 and up), helpful for brightening gloomy Yard accommodations.

Then, to cover up your bare walls, stop off at Pix Poster Cellar (elusively located on the second floor of 1105 Mass. Ave.) and find some artsy prints. Newbury Comics on JFK St. is another poster palace.

And if you're desperately seeking clothes, look no further than The Square. Between urban Outfitter, Structure and The Gap, you won't go naked this summer (unless, of course, you're into that). Frequent CitySports for athletic gear; they often offer spectacular sales on sneakers, t-shirts and rollerblades.

It's Worth the $1.70

Take the T to Porter Square and get thee to Star Market. Christy's on JFK Street and the Broadway Market on Broadway may be closer to the Yard, but nothing can compare to Star Market's selection and prices on food.

Once at Star, stop and fill out the application for their free advantage card, entitling you to considerable discounts. Besides the freedom of choice--aisles of snack foods, cereals and ice cream--Star Market features a 12-pack of Coca-Cola for $2.50. `Nuff said.

Porter Square also boasts Boston Bed and Bath, where you can pick up a compact summer folding chair for under $15, perfect for those balmy days in the Yard. For those with less stringent budgets, Pier 1 Imports is located just upstairs.

For the even more adventurous, try the Cambridgeside Galleria (T: Lechmere on the Green Line or #69 bus), your mall away from home. Spend hours browsing through over 90 stores, and escape Annenberg monotony with a food court worthy of variety-lovers.

With a little persistence and comparison shopping, your room will be inexpensively packed with all of the comforts of home. Just do yourself a favor and don't start purchasing lava lamps and loveseats, no matter how good of a deal you find. After all, you're only here for eight weeks.