Elixir Vitae, the homey, independently owned coffee, tea, and snack shop on Maynard across from Nickels Arcade, has closed its doors. With its dim lighting, well-worn couches, and reasonable prices, the laid-back shop evoked Ann Arbor’s hippie era. That may no longer be a viable niche, as competition for the upscale university and tech markets has driven other coffee shops to offer a more high-end experience.

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