High Street Place Food Hall Opens In Boston After 2-Year Delay

BOSTON (CBS) – A new food hall opened in Boston on Wednesday, featuring nearly two dozen different vendors and unique offerings like a champagne vending machine.

The High Street Place Food Hall is bringing 20 food and drink vendors together all under one roof. It was supposed to open in March 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID pandemic.

Mayor Michelle Wu was at Boston's newest business Wednesday morning for a ribbon cutting ceremony, officially opening the hall to the public.

"It's really exciting today to see so many people out and about ready to get back downtown, revitalize our city and make sure we are supporting all of our local businesses who have gone through such a tough time," Wu said.

The food hall features a champagne vending machine, pizza, a cocktail bar, coffee, burgers, a raw bar, sushi, donuts, gelato and more.

High Street Place seats 400 people. It has communal tables, high tops and an outdoor patio.

"The goal of the food hall is all about community building. We want people to come we want people to sit together, we want people to dine together again," said manager Lauren Johnson.

It also has a big screen where you can watch up to four games at once. There will also be live music and book signings.

Johnson said that with the pandemic, both Downtown Boston and the restaurant community are in need of support. It will also be great spot for people who are returning to the office and want to grab a quick bite, or gather with friends and family on the weekends.

"I feel like the timing couldn't be better with the mask mandate lifting and the vaccine mandate lifting," Johnson said.

Chef Tiffany Faison said after the lengthy delay, Wednesday's opening was even more exciting.

"Get off the couch. Let's go. Grab some champagne, see your friends again, come eat," Faison said.