A Lucky Find: The Story Behind Two New Downtown Tucson Destinations
Categories Food & Drink DTP Updates
From wood-fired barbecue to late-night coffee, Brock Lynch is bringing a fresh take on food, community, and hospitality to Downtown Tucson.
Two new dining destinations are taking shape in Downtown Tucson. Lucky Penny BBQ and Bonanza Coffee Company are targeting a mid-November 2026 opening, bringing traditional wood-fired barbecue, specialty coffee, and a new late-night gathering place to downtown.
When stepping inside the future home of Lucky Penny BBQ and Bonanza Coffee Company, it's clear that something exciting is taking shape. Construction is underway and two massive wood-fired smokers are already finding their place in what will soon become one of Downtown Tucson's newest dining destinations.
For owner Brock Lynch of Open Container Hospitality Group, the project is about more than opening a restaurant and coffee shop. It's an opportunity to create a place where good food, great company, and genuine hospitality come together. With both concepts aiming to welcome their first guests in November, we caught up with Brock for a behind-the-scenes look at the transformation, the stories behind the names, and what he hopes to bring to the downtown community.
From Seattle to the Desert
Brock and his business partners, Donald Dolaghan and David Knight, all have roots in Seattle, but Tucson has been on Brock's radar for years. What began as family visits and business trips eventually turned into a desire to put down roots in the desert.
When the time came to make the move, opening a restaurant was part of the plan. Finding the right location, however, proved to be a little more complicated. The original idea was simple. A relatively small restaurant that Brock and his partners could operate together. They explored locations throughout Tucson, from Oro Valley to Midtown, without initially giving much consideration to downtown. That changed through a chance connection with the owner of a local café, who pointed Brock toward a vacant space downtown.
As soon as he walked through the building, something clicked. "I fell in love with it immediately," Brock recalled. Although the property was considerably larger than what the partners had originally envisioned, Brock saw an opportunity to create something that extended beyond a single restaurant. What started as a search for a small space was quickly becoming a much bigger vision.
A Lucky Penny with a Meaningful Story
Of the two concepts preparing to open, Lucky Penny BBQ carries the most personal meaning for Brock. The restaurant's name is a tribute to his grandfather, someone Brock remembers as the embodiment of genuine hospitality. Growing up, he recalls his grandfather always carrying a pocketful of change and never passing up a penny on the ground. Over time, those small coins became something meaningful to the family. During moments of stress, uncertainty, or hardship, Brock and his family have often found pennies in unexpected places. They came to view those discoveries as reminders of his grandfather's presence and the values he passed down.
For Brock, the name Lucky Penny is a way of carrying those values into the business he's building today. At the center of it all is hospitality. Making people feel welcome, treating others with care, and remembering that a great experience is about much more than what's on the plate.
Of course, Lucky Penny BBQ will have plenty happening in the kitchen, too. The restaurant is being built around traditional, all-wood-fired barbecue, with two large smokers positioned where guests will be able to see the cooking process firsthand.
During our visit, Brock had already started a fire in one of the pits, offering a small preview of what downtown visitors can expect once the restaurant opens. The kitchen will also provide opportunities to take more of the food preparation in-house, including baking bread and eventually working with whole animals sourced through local ranching partnerships. And while the food will be taken seriously, Brock doesn't want the experience to feel overly formal. He's envisioning a lively, welcoming atmosphere filled with music, personality, and the kind of energy that makes guests want to settle in and stay awhile.
Meet Bonanza Coffee Company
Just steps away, another concept is preparing to bring an entirely different experience to the property. Bonanza Coffee Company takes its inspiration from Tucson's Southwestern character, with a playful nod to the city's cowboy culture and its willingness to embrace the unexpected. Unlike a traditional coffee shop that winds down in the afternoon, Bonanza is being designed as a gathering place that carries its energy well into the evening.
The coffee program will feature beans from Seattle-based Caffe Vita. Alongside coffee, Bonanza plans to offer a nonalcoholic cocktail program, creating another option for people looking to enjoy a night out without alcohol. Music will also play a role in shaping the atmosphere, with plans for vinyl DJs and a setting that feels a little different from the typical café experience. As Brock describes it, the goal is to create something unique, approachable, and a little funky. Much like Tucson itself.
Together, Lucky Penny and Bonanza will offer two distinct experiences with a shared philosophy: make people feel welcome, give them a reason to stay, and create an atmosphere they'll want to return to.
Finding a Home in Downtown Tucson
Although downtown wasn't initially at the top of Brock's list of potential locations, it has become an important part of his story since arriving in Tucson. He's embraced the downtown community, connected with fellow business owners, and became involved with the Downtown Tucson Partnership now serving on the Board of Directors. Coming from Seattle, he's been particularly struck by Tucson's welcoming atmosphere and the sense of community he encounters throughout downtown.
For Brock, those connections reinforce exactly what he wants Lucky Penny and Bonanza to represent. "At the heart of what we do, hospitality is by far the most important thing," he explained. He hopes guests will feel a sincere connection when they walk through the doors, rather than the sense that they're simply completing a transaction. It's an idea that brings the story back to his grandfather, the inspiration behind Lucky Penny, and the belief that small gestures can leave a lasting impression.
As construction continues and opening day draws closer, Brock and his partners are preparing to bring that philosophy to life in two very different spaces. And if all goes according to plan, Downtown Tucson will soon have two more places to gather, connect, and make a few memories of its own.
Coming Soon to Downtown Tucson
Together, Lucky Penny and Bonanza will offer two distinct experiences with a shared philosophy: make people feel welcome, give them a reason to stay, and create an atmosphere they'll want to return to.
Lucky Penny BBQ and Bonanza Coffee Company are currently targeting a mid-November 2026 opening. Stay tuned for more updates as these two new downtown destinations prepare to open their doors!
*Dates, hours, and additional details are subject to change as construction progresses.