When institutions die, they take some of our memories with them. Without any cues to recall the old memory, it becomes a sort of neural dark matter that lingers within us but can never be accessed. Because people strongly tie their identities to their memories, in a way we lose a part of ourselves. Old friends and family can help here, providing throwbacks that revive memories on the brink.

While not a Havard alum myself there were traditions and parallel institutions at my alma matter that existed long before my grandparents did.

There's something to be said about the culture that these places provide and the atmosphere that is forever lost when they close.

Something might replace, something may not, but the tradition will be reset.

>It's just a restaurant. As opposed to being what, a nuclear reactor? I'm curious what type of institutions you consider important, and see if there are any parallels between those and a restaurant.

Routine and nostalgia are both very powerful.

It has sentimental value to some people