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infini-T cafe in Princeton closed for good

infini-T Cafe and Spice Souk in downtown Princeton, a cafe that was known for its wide variety of teas, its vegan food, and its laid-back atmosphere, is closed for good.

The Hulfish Street store was damaged last year after a rain storm caused flash flooding in the Witherspoon Street area near the Princeton Public Library. The owners of Infini-T anticipated being closed for four to six weeks, but flooding caused extensive damage to the space they were renting. A sign on the door now informs would-be patrons that the cafe is closed permanently.

The flood happened on July 30, but the space has been stripped down to the studs and still needs to be renovated.

Mary Ann Fritschie and her husband opened the brick and mortar coffee bar and tea house about five and a half years ago after they decided to take a break from the corporate world. The shop, adorned with treasures from international trips, quickly became a favorite study space and meeting spot for area students and academics. Patrons never felt rushed, and some students stayed there for hours reading, surfing the web, or playing board games.

Fritschie still sells tea, fair-trade coffee, spices and other items online at the Tea Leaf Market. She could not be reached for comment about the closing. Friends said she is currently in Michigan.

Sources say another tenant in the same building on Hulfish Street, LaJolie Salon, is moving to the former elements restaurant building on Route 206 in Princeton just north of the downtown area.