Jitters signed a two-year lease to provide hot and cold sandwiches, soups, salads and a variety of drinks.
Lowell Observatory’s Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center will feature an eatery named Planet X Café, and the observatory has selected the popular Flagstaff restaurant, Jitters Lunchbox, to operate it. Planet X Cafe is sponsored by Nackard Pepsi, with the Nackard family boasting a long history in the Flagstaff community and at Lowell Observatory.
Jitters signed a two-year lease to provide hot and cold sandwiches, soups, salads and a variety of drinks. The café will be open day and evening to accommodate guests looking for a meal or snack in between the observatory’s many public astronomy activities, providing a tranquil setting to gather with friends and loved ones. The café includes seating for about 40 customers, who can enjoy their food on an outside patio against the backdrop of the observatory’s pine-blanketed grounds, or inside, next to a sandstone-lined fireplace.
The Astronomy Discovery Center and Planet X Café will open to the public on Nov. 13, with a special grand opening event on Nov. 16. The Astronomy Discovery Center and café will both be open daily except for Tuesday, with hours ranging from noon to 10 p.m., for the Astronomy Discovery Center and noon to 9 p.m. for the café.
Lowell Visitor Experience Manager Miriam Robbins says Jitters is an ideal fit for the observatory. “We wanted to collaborate with a local vendor and Jitters has been a staple in this community for years. Plus, their menu is almost exactly what we had envisioned for the café, even before we saw their proposal.”
Robbins says she is also impressed by Jitters’ ownership team, Jose Garcia and his nephew Jose Munguia. “They have a long history working in the restaurant business, way before they joined forces to buy Jitters a few years ago.”
Garcia says he is thrilled to be working with Lowell Observatory. “We like the idea of local businesses partnering together and Lowell Observatory, with its long history of scientific research and education, is a landmark in Flagstaff.”
The Planet X Café is named after the planet theorized by Percival Lowell more than a century ago. Lowell kicked off a search for the planet in 1905 that culminated with Clyde Tombaugh’s discovery of Pluto at the observatory in 1930. The design of the café captures this history in a display of historic drawings, celestial motifs and themes of discovery. It also features displays of the Nackard family, as sponsors of the café.
Initially, the café will employ six full-time staff members. “We try to give back to the community and supplying these jobs, as well as giving people tasty food in a friendly environment, helps us achieve this,” said Munguia.
Lowell Chief Operating Officer Amanda Bosh, Ph.D., says the choice of Jitters Lunchbox as a partner is important to the success of the ADC. “Our goal is for the Astronomy Discovery Center to be a world-class astrotourism destination and to achieve this goal, each component – whether exhibits, theaters or food services – must be top notch. And Jitters certainly fits the bill. We look forward to collaborating with them in helping give guests from around the world the best possible experience.” FBN
Courtesy Photo: Lowell Observatory’s Miriam Robbins reviews plans for Planet X Cafe with Jose Munguia (left) and Jose Garcia.