Starbucks is leaving, but Government Center's steaming kettle will stay

"The steaming kettle, made as a publicity stunt for Oriental Tea in 1873, was a fixture in Scollay Square until it moved to its current location at 65 Court St. in the 1960s. It overlooked the construction of City Hall, and sat above a Croissant Du Jour and a Coffee Connection until the storefront became a Starbucks in 1997. The building's owner, who requested to remain anonymous as the trust 63-65 Court Street LLC, says the speculation that the kettle may go was "nonsense.""

""The kettle will be there forever," he added. The building's owner said he was "shocked" to learn Starbucks planned to leave, noting the busy Government Center location has given the company free publicity for years. He said Starbucks has not contacted him about ending the lease, and until he finds a new tenant, the cafe will remain in the space even if it's closed. He hopes to secure a replacement soon - ideally, a business that serves better food, he said."

The Starbucks at Government Center has closed its doors, but the iconic steaming brass kettle above 65 Court St. will remain. The kettle was created as a publicity stunt for Oriental Tea in 1873 and moved to its current location in the 1960s. It sat above several storefronts before the space became a Starbucks in 1997 and overlooked the construction of City Hall. The building owner, operating as trust 63-65 Court Street LLC, called speculation about removing the kettle nonsense and said the kettle will stay. The owner said Starbucks has not informed him of lease termination and that the space will remain occupied until a new tenant is found, with a preference for a business serving better food.

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