Charlie's Kitchen Cambridge News: from Flooding Crisis to Weekend Liquidation and Beyond
By Maya Lin-Takahashi
By the first weekend of October, the recovery strategy took a public turn. Owner David Oshima announced an outright restaurant inventory liquidation, offering the public an opportunity to purchase virtually every movable object inside the establishment. When the doors opened on Saturday morning, lines stretched past the patio gates toward Mount Auburn Street.
Shoppers sorted through decades of accumulated tavern life. Heavy diner coffee mugs went for a few dollars. Stacks of signature red-rimmed plates, pint glasses etched with beer brands, prep tables, and commercial fryers sat labeled with masking tape price tags. Collectors and longtime regulars came specifically for the wall decor, including vintage framed photographs, retro beer signs, and vinyl booth sections where generations of Harvard students, local tradespeople, and punk rockers once carved their initials. The scene served dual purposes: it provided immediate cash flow for repair expenses while physically clearing floor space so contractors could begin structural reinforcement.
Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.
