14 March, 1990

Decision Is Still a Month Away On Fate of Fire-Damaged Stores

Everyone is waiting. Princeton University is waiting for all “insurance considerations” to be taken care of before it decides what to do with its fire-damaged buildings at 179 and 183 Nassau Street. “We hope to have the insurance process worked through in a month,” said a University spokeswoman.

Meanwhile, the four businesses left homeless by the February 26 blaze are waiting to see whether the University will raze or restore the buildings.

The Mercer County Prosecutor’s offices announced earlier that the fire, which caused $1.5 million in damage, was intentionally set as an arson fire in the American Diner.

Tom Block, partner with Tom Grim in Thomas Sweet, said they were waiting to return to the damaged site. “The University said we will be returning. It all depends if the decision is to rehabilitate or raze the building.”

The chocolate shop might be temporarily relocated. “We were just going into the second busiest season in chocolate,” Mr. Block said. “We would like to capture some of the Eater business. We may squeeze it in Palmer Square.”

Mr. Block and Mr. Grim have expanded the hours at their Palmer Square store, and say business has picked up quite a bit there. There is no way, however, that the small Palmer Square shop could physically accomodate business for both stores.

They are not now considering a temporary location be-