THE SPICE IS NICE. Formerly Infinitea Tea House, Half Moon Tea and Spice still offers 100 different varieties of tea, but now also sells more than 130 spices that can be purchased wholesale. The store will be slowly changing to its new identity and new offerings over the summer, and a second store will open in Oakwood Mall.

Infinitea is no longer. Well, I mean at least the name Infinitea is no longer. In fact, the business that you know as Infinitea is expanding, so much so that they outgrew their name.  

Enter Half Moon Tea and Spice. While still offering 100 different varieties of tea –  as they’ve been known for since 2008 – Half Moon will now also sell more than 130 spices that can be purchased wholesale. The name change went into effect on May 21 the store will be slowly changing to its new identity and new offerings over the summer.

The teas and spices will also inhabit a new space in Oakwood Mall, opening in July. If you still can’t get enough, the shop has a new-and-improved tea cart that will be out at the Downtown Farmers Market and other events throughout the summer.

Along with spices, owner Jeff Mares said the downtown café will offer a limited offering of single-origin coffees for pour over, which has a similar brewing process and experience as the teas do.

Owner Jeff Mares said the mall store would function as more of a retail location, while the current downtown shop would become the Half Moon Tea and Spice Café. Mares said he’s always fascinated by learning about new things. Tea and spice are comparable and Mares said it was a natural progression for the business. It’s also somewhat of a step into the past. The location of Infinitea –  112 E. Grand Ave. –  was a spice shop 120 years earlier in Eau Claire’s history, Mares said.

So grab some ingredients from the farmers market and start experimenting with flavors. And don’t worry – you can still have a cup of tea while you do cook.