By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Gibson Food Hall and Market reopened this week following nearly two years of renovations, bringing new dining and social options to the downtown business district.
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The facility at Congress and Sixth Avenue includes a coffee bar, four new restaurants, a bar in the food hall, and plans for a bodega that will double as an exclusive speakeasy called the Pearl Lounge.
Nick Rivas, a downtown Tucson employee, said the changes were immediately noticeable.
“As soon as I stepped in here, it’s so open, so it’s like a great social atmosphere,” Rivas said.
Rivas said the expanded offerings fit what he believes a lot of people are looking for in a downtown destination.
“I want a place where in the morning I can grab a coffee, in the afternoon I can get lunch, then when I’m off work I can get a drink. So it looks like it has all of it,” Rivas said.
Despite the expansion, General Manager John Farr said the market’s grocery function remains central to its mission.
“There’s nowhere downtown to get groceries, and so we are a huge staple for all that,” Farr said.
Co-owner Nick Wayne Eggeman said the new vision builds on that foundation.
“The focus of the new Gibson Food Hall & Market is community. Kind of have eat, drink, shop — kind of an aspect that we’ve been missing,” Eggeman said.
The complex pays homage to its history.
In a connecting area with the Grand and High Wire, there are mementos and memorabilia of the old gym and barbershop bearing the same Gibson name. Landlord Steve Gibson said the site holds long-standing meaning for the community.
“A lot of people remember downtown when it was dynamic, and every department store, clothing store, shoe store was downtown,” Gibson said. “I think my dad would be quite proud.”
Gibson described the location as a natural gathering point and added that it has been a pillar for the entire downtown business district.
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“It’s a central location, so it’s a terrific meeting place for people for whatever events you’re going to downtown,” Gibson said.
With that, Farr said the market’s closure had a visible effect on the surrounding area, especially one that has been tough on businesses, specifically the closures of Hi Fi and The National, showing the volatility in the downtown market.
“It was hard after COVID trying to get everything back up and going,” Farr said. “It was a center point for a long time. When we closed down, I seen the area die down a lot around here.”
Gibson and Eggeman said they hope the reopening will attract other businesses.
“Success breeds success. So this will give other entrepreneurs confidence,” Gibson said.
“I’d love for us to become a hub downtown where other businesses can find success around us,” Eggeman added.
Farr said the excitement surrounding the reopening has already drawn customers back.
“It’s just really good to see their faces and how happy they are to see us again back open,” Farr said.
Eggeman said hours for High Wire have been adjusted to align with Gibson Food Hall’s operating hours.
An official grand opening is planned for mid-August, when the bodega and Pearl Lounge speakeasy are expected to open.
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