After school, many Upper School students stroll through the streets of Cambridge and Harvard Square while ordering food, browsing stores and hanging out with friends. Several of these local businesses are owned by families whose children attend the school. The Vanguard spoke with the owners of Hi-Rise Bread Company, Lovestruck Books and Amelia’s Trattoria, Sulmona and Mex to hear their experiences of running a family business.

Hi-Rise Bread Company

 The scent of freshly-baked pastries drifts through the air, and the hum of conversation buzzes as sunlight spills across the tables at Hi-Rise Bread Company, a cozy Cambridge café. Rene and Cynthia Becker (P ’29) own the bakery that’s approaching its 30-year anniversary.

 Known for its fresh breads, pastries, sandwiches and coffee, Hi-Rise reflects Mr. Becker’s experiences and philosophy.

 Mr. Becker started baking bread in college after his friends opened a deli.

 “When I started Hi-Rise, I did not want it to be a factory,” he said. “I wanted to be a part of a neighborhood, a place where people would meet. It’s amazing how many people have met over the years at Hi-Rise, so many neighbors connecting with neighbors for the first time. It’s a wonderful feeling.”

 Mr. Becker’s daughter, Lucie Becker ’29, is involved in the family business.

 “It’s hard to balance work and family life, but fortunately, we live really close: right across the street from the bakery,” Mr. Becker said. “Our family is completely involved, even if Lucie doesn’t have her hands on everything yet. She hears our discussions about what we want to do and how we can improve things, and she’ll be more involved as she gets older.”

 Mrs. Becker said Hi-Rise serves as a gathering place for the local community.

 “One of our goals is to be a neighborhood bakery and to be a place where people in the community want to come and connect. When I had my daughter, Lucie, I got myself out of the house, and I’d go sit at Hi-Rise and meet other moms. We see BB&N families at the bakery all the time, and we’ve met so many over the years. Now that we’re a BB&N family ourselves, it’s nice to feel that connection to the neighborhood.”

 For Lucie, it’s been unique growing up around the bakery.

 “My teachers are always there, and everyone talks about it,” she said. “I used to help out when I was younger, making espresso or helping with the bread, and I’ve learned a lot about how much work it takes to run a business.”

Lovestruck Books

 Opened in December 2024, Lovestruck Books and Coffee Shop is a romance-themed bookstore and café partnered with George Howell Coffee. It was founded by Rachel Kanter P ’36 ’38.

 “When I asked myself where I would want to hang out, it was always a bookstore and a café,” she said. “It’s great because it helps people stay longer, and even if people don’t end up buying a book, they can still buy a coffee and support the business”

 The bookstore’s romance theme creates the inviting atmosphere that keeps customers coming back.

 “The romance theme really sets a cozy vibe in our bookstore and café,” Mrs. Kanter said. “Soft lighting, comfy seating and a bit of romantic décor make it a perfect spot for reading and hanging out. It adds an emotional touch, too. Romance books bring back sweet memories for people, making them feel right at home.”

 Cambridge offers support to local businesses through initiatives like the Small Business Enhancement Program and the Boosting Business Blocks Grant.

 “It’s always hard for independent businesses to compete against the big corporations that can afford to price things lower,” Mrs. Kanter said. “We need to make sure we do something different that adds value to the community so people feel good about shopping with us. People were really excited to see a new family-owned business open in the Square because it reminded them of back when there were more of those.”

 The school has hosted several events at Lovestruck, including a parents’ book club and the school book fair, she said.

 “The community’s been great about finding ways to involve me as a business owner, which I really appreciate.”

Amelia’s Trattoria, Sulmona and Mex

 “Each of our restaurants is unique,” Rebecca Susi P ’26 ’30, who owns three local eateries with her husband, Delio, said. “Amelia’s and Sulmona are fashioned after my husband’s heritage. The smaller Italian one, Amelia’s, is named after his mom, who our daughter Amelia is named after, so it’s very personal to him. This larger Sulmona restaurant is named after the town that they are from in Italy.”

 While the first two restaurants draw on family heritage, Mex reflects the cultures of the employees who work at the restaurant.

 “The Mexican restaurant is inspired by our staff and the food that they like to cook in their culture, so he made that an homage to them,” Mrs. Susi said. “What differentiates us from the bigger corporations is we’re here every day, and we know our staff. They’re part of our family. It’s very hands-on.”

 All three restaurants are located in or near Kendall Square.

 “Cambridge is a really cool community,” Mrs. Susi said. “Particularly in Kendall Square, which is surrounded by all the biotechs, Google, MIT and Harvard students, I’ve met some of the most fascinating, smartest people. It’s neat to be a part of that, and I feel we’re really lucky.”

 School families and students often stop by the restaurants.

 “When students or teammates will come and bring their friends, it makes me and my husband so happy,” Mrs. Susi said. “We’ve hosted some varsity banquets the past couple of years, and I love making the restaurant part of the kids’ lives. BB&N families also come and support us, which is great.”

 Mrs. Susi hopes her kids, Amelia Susi ’26 and Jack Susi ’30, learn from the business.

 “It’s important that my kids understand the service industry,” she said. “It’s a skill everybody should have, so they help out in some capacity. They’ve grown up in the restaurant and been here almost every day since they were born.”

 For Amelia, the family business has been a defining part of her life.

 “It’s shaped me as a person when it comes to my values and the things I work toward,” Amelia said. “I wrote my college essay about it. Sitting at the end of a barstool all my life and observing interactions with people has really helped me. It’s taught me about responsibility, problem-solving and social interactions.”