Category: Fun

  • Mission Motor Collective

    Mission Motor Collective

    “I like it here. Its got a lot of space.”

    Get your motor runnin’

    When you think of a beer hall, what exactly comes to mind? Those vast ventures in Germany during Oktoberfest that are akin to open air circus arenas equipped with smiling ladies donning blonde twists and carrying, like, a dozen frosty mugs in each hand? Or maybe just the Pima County Fair, sans sad 80s band mewling in the distance, and if it actually served decent ales and lagers?

    Okay, Mission Motor Collective is not that big, but it’s pretty big.

    This space is the place

    We here in Tucson might be used to spacious locations to pull down yon frothy goodness, and we are fortunate to have a wide selection of said locations. We got the room, no doubt. But the moment I first stepped foot into Mission Motor Co. the first thing that came to mind was “Oh its like a picnic area, but with craft beer and no active hornets nests.”

    Opening just a few months ago here in the year 2025, Mission Motor Collective is the brainchild and passion piece of Nashville, TN native Jeremy London.

    “There’s a lot of motorcycle riders here in Tucson but there really isn’t a specific meeting place where they can get together and get to know one another,” he says. “We want Mission Motor to be that place.”

    Grab ‘n go…or stay

    A longtime rider and builder of bikes himself, Jeremy needed a creative endeavor for both him and his wife Britney as they both work corporate jobs that don’t really embrace creativity on this level. Plus they both totally love craft beer. Makes sense.

    “There’s really nothing like Mission Motor in this area,” notes Jeremy. Its true. Located on the corner of Grant and Stone with neighbors being Grant Stone market, a donut shop and veterinarian center, they do stand out quite easily as the go to destination for canned, bottled and on tap quality brews.

    Its easy to get lost in the Congress and 4th Ave pivot of bars and restaurants but the corner of Grant and Stone? Yeah. No. In fact, Mission Motor should be a stop for downtown folks going home after work, or before work if you’re pulling in a night shift seeing as Mission Motor opens regularly at 2pm. If that’s your thing.

    Remember kids, safety first

    Currently they have 12 taps of rotating hoppy malty greatness along with a line of fridges filled with cans and bottles of imported and domestic tipples along with non-alcoholic options as well. So grab a flavor of your choice and sit for a while. Or take a bunch home. Or take some home after you have stayed a bit. Up to you. Hey, you’re a grown up, you do you.

    Stick ’em if you got ’em

    In the tradition of said European mead marts, Mission Motor Co. has two British regulation dart boards. What I mean by that is they are the proper weight (aka heavy as fxxk), made with real cork and are at the exact height for UK competition level dart playing. That’s right, they don’t play around.

    “It took about three of us to mount those things,” Jeremy says with a laugh. “But it is so worth it as we plan to start a dart league real soon.”

    Motor isn’t in their name for nothing

    Another thing you will immediately notice as you walk in is the mural sized rendition of Rat Fink on the Stone side wall. Pained by a locally renown tattoo artist, ol’ RF is donning a MMC shirt and looks as if he is racing to get to those taps.

    Best part is, art is literally everywhere here. Mission Motor is currently on their 2nd art exhibition and will feature more in the future. Don’t just buy a pint or three, buy a painting or photograph from local artists as well. C’mon! Get some culture in your pad.

    Beer and art, always the perfect combo

    Mission Motor Co. is also host to various game nights such as Bingo and trivia but don’t be afraid to bring your own games because this is the place to do such activities. Heck I’m thinking of moving our D&D club over to Mission Motor.  They allow outside food and the beer selection is a lot better than what we usually provide. And the bathrooms actually work. That’s a plus.

    I sure hope they have a ‘one of each’ policy

    Speaking of food, you can find a new food truck parked outside most days and nights. Just check their Instagram to see what motorized vittles they are serving up. Trust me here, its always something grand and delicious.

    If you just need a snack, there’s a selection of nibbles for you to take on. Oh and they have a tight lineup of wine too. This place has it all!

    First you hang ’em up then you rack ’em up

    What would a badass place such as Mission Motor be if they didn’t have live music as well? Because they totally do! I mean, hey, they have the space for it. By that I mean its bigger than most clubs here in town, or anywhere really. And the bathrooms actually work. Again, always a plus.

    Having a family function or need a place for your event? Look no further! You can rent out Mission Motor for a very reasonable rate. They don’t have pool tables and a fine collection of IPAs at those boring party halls with those dopey round fold tables and broken microphones do they? No they do not.

    Mission Motor even did a Goth clothing exchange recently. Like, who does that? Gothy places, sure, but not any tap house that I have been to. And believe me, I’ve been to my fair share of beer forts. Maybe they are on to something. Bring the pale kids to the pale ales. I’d be so down for that.

    Of course Rat Fink loves this bar, of course

    Seeing as Mission Motor shares a wall with a vet clinic, they are also pet friendly. After Mittens gets their checkup, bring ‘em in and sit for a spell. A cold glass, bottle or can of quality crafty awesomeness will take the sting out of any doctor bill.

    Its just great to know that a place such as Mission Motor Co. exists in our fine desert hamlet. We need more people such as Jeremy and Britney who rely on the goodness of our community. So get yourself and your buddies over to Mission Motor Co. In fact, that’s what I’m going to do right now. See you there.

    Cheers!

    Thank you Jeremy and Britney

    Mission Motor Collective

    2 W. Grant Rd. Tucson AZ

    Website

    Instagram

    Facebook

    Words and photos

    Mark Whittaker

    yeahwritemark@gmail.com

  • Di Luna Candles

    Di Luna Candles

    Just a table full of goodness

    At the very heart of the situation I am a very simple man. That doesn’t mean I don’t like fancy things. Because I do. Sort of.

    Not like rings, watches, shoes and such, I’m talking about bath products baby. I may wear the same clothes nearly every day but, man, I do love me some handmade soaps and good smelling lotions and body potions.

    Well hello there

    Some say I get that bug from being raised by a gay man. Ha! My dad was as down to earth, rock ‘n roll loving, meat and potatoes sort of dude as they come. For me it was being not the most masculine kid on the row and fortunately was always surrounded by strong women that loved the same form of aesthetic affection.

    When Di Luna Candles opened up in their original location on the corner of Hedrick and Campbell, just a few short blocks from where I type blogs like this, I was totally intrigued.

    This place smells amazing

    Walking in I was immediately smitten by the whiff of high scented air, all coming from their handcrafted candles, amongst other shimmering objects they make on deck. Pretty sure I bought a candle with the smell handle of Morning Matcha. It just hit like a “you need this in your life” kind of baiting coo.

    Not gonna lie, that candle was too much for our lil cabin under the mesquite trees, so I took it outside where it properly belongs. That first aroma dumpling is long gone but currently a Yuzu Blossom varietal has taken its place on the patio and now that the weather is compliant to hanging outside here in Tucson, we spark up that redolence totem and bask in it as we clink glasses and watch blue skies turn to stars.

    For you DIY candle makers out there

    Di Luna recently moved from the small-ish space in the same run as Del Cielo Tamales and into a bigger and brighter place at 2700 Campbell, just across the street from Prep & Pastry.

    Good thing too, because these ladies have expanded their loot.

    Gotta support local

    Oh yeah, not only is Di Luna women owned and operated but it is also Latina owned and operated. Recognize.

    Owner Maria Jose and her crew hand make all of their candles from soy but it just doesn’t end with candles. Oh no. Sure its in their name, but aside from the legion of wicked up regalia, they also create wax melts, reed diffusers and bath salts. And if they don’t make in in house, they buy their other wares from small sustainable businesses that are in the very high percentages of also being women owned and operated. Again…recognize.

    Puzzle me this

    Di Luna sells pet treats. They don’t have the time nor space to make said pet treats so they wholesale them from independent businesses that do have the space and time. To make the treats. Because that’s what they do. They make pet treats. As a business. C’mon now.

    To a T

    As a guy that loves games and gets involved with problems such as jigsaw puzzles, Di Luna carries a fine selection of those time suckers with the impossibly tiny pieces that just drive you/me insane but, ugh!, you just have to finish it because I want to know what this painting of nocturnal animals looks like with squiggly line creases all over it.

    Deep breath. I’m good.

    Classin’ up the joint

    If you’re going to take notes or write that great novel you’ve been meaning to get behind, might as well do so with magnetized chili pepper pens on stationary featuring Pedro Pascal on it. Because they have those too. Plus a bunch of super adorbs kids’ books that I myself found to be far too entertaining. Give me a finger puppet board book and you have a grown azz man sitting in the corner giggling for a good half hour. If not longer. I said it.

    Tea lovers unite because Di Luna offers a great selection of teas and whimsical mugs and cups to steep and drink out of. Theres also margarita mixers on the shelves too and, yeah, don’t be ashamed to drink that margarita out of a mug shaped like an aliens head that you recently bought from them. Believe me when I say that I have tipped back many a tequila infused rocker in far more controversial vessels than a coffee mug. You do you boo boo.

    Feelin’ cute? Better get you an even cuter tee shirt. Or socks. Or hats. Or slippers. Its all here.

    You know you need Gucci bear in your life

    Thing is, if you wander in Di Luna and gander at all of the house created glory and wonder, hey, how do they make all of this gloriousness…wonder no more! Di Luna offers workshops and classes at a reasonable fee so check out their website or pop in to see what hands on tutorials they have coming up. As I type this the holidays are upon us and what better way to say “No clue what to get you so I made this” than a candle that you constructed and smells like a pineapple daiquiri in a pine forest. Grandma will be thrilled!

    Best part is that Di Luna hosts a Saturday community market from 9am – 5pm. Every. Saturday. Yes.

    Here you will find local vendors selling wares and offering services from baked goods to flash tattoos. Its fun for the whole family. Fun like, yeah its fun, but its also fun to come out and bolster small ventures while meeting new faces and possibly making some friends along the way.

    Diffusing the situation

    All I can say is that I am glad Di Luna Candles is a part of my neighborhood. Its nice to just walk in, get hit with that power waft of scented goodness, pick out the porch air flavor of the month and know that my small donation is going to such a worthy cause. Its easy to go downtown or some shopping stretch to find something in the ilk of Di Luna, but midtown Tucson on the corner of Campbell and Mitchell, that is a gift indeed.

    Speaking of which, Xmas is like in just a few weeks. Maybe I should take one of their workshops. Do you think Di Luna would let me make a SpaghettiOs and dill pickle potato chip scented candle for my wife? Better make a reservation and find out.

    Cheers!

    Thanks Di Luna

    Di Luna Candles

    2700 N Campbell Ave., Tucson AZ

    520.771.8047

    Website

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    Facebook

    Words and photos by

    Mark Whittaker

    yeahwritemark@gmail.com