Focaccia – and other Italian delicacy-lovers will soon have a new spot to enjoy. Lucca’s Italian Shop Sandwiches will be moving into the space previously occupied by Copa Vida at 905 J Street in San Diego’s East Village, neighboring Petco Park.
First reported by SanDiegoVille, the announcement was made through the shop’s social media account. In a statement to WhatNow, Lucca’s Italian Shop owner Sabastian Garcia confirmed the new location and a projected Summer 2026 opening with freshly baked focaccia on-site, paired with quality wine and beer.
The expansion represents a major upgrade for the Italian-style panini shop, which initially started out in 2024, hidden in a below-street-level courtyard, between buildings downtown, at 600 B Street. Despite its concealed location, the eatery still thrived by featuring imported meats, including prosciutto, bresaola, and spicy salami, attracting fans of Florence-style paninis and quickly building a buzz.
One of the most popular options is the Northern Italian-style Palermo Sandwich, a sophisticated layering of porchetta, stracciatella cheese, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, and arugula, brought together with a generous splash of extra-virgin olive oil. Another famous sandwich favors an Italian classic: balsamic vinegar. The Roma Sandwich features prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, pesto, semi-dried tomato, and arugula.
Sebastian Garcia also shared that the shop will operate Monday to Saturday, from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., a schedule designed to serve a broad mix of customers throughout the day, from lunchtime crowds to early evening visitors in the area.
