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Lowell Observatory and Jitters Lunchbox Partner on New Cafe

Lowell Observatory's Miriam Robbins reviews plans for the Planet X Cafe with Jose Munguia (left) and Jose Garcia.


Jitters Lunchbox will provide food service for the Planet X Cafe in Lowell Observatory’s new Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center.

Flagstaff, AZ, [October 15, 2024] – Lowell Observatory’s soon-to-open Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center will feature an eatery named Planet X Cafe, 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 cafe 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 cafe 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 Cafe will open to the public on November 13, with a special grand opening event on November 16. The Astronomy Discovery Center and Cafe will both be open daily except for Tuesday, with hours ranging from noon to 10pm for the Astronomy Discovery Center and noon to 9pm for the cafe.

Miriam Robbins, Visitor Experience Manager at Lowell Observatory, says Jitters is an ideal fit for the observatory. “We wanted to collaborate with a local vendor,” she says, “and Jitters has been a staple in this community for years. Plus, their menu is almost exactly what we had envisioned for the cafe, even before we saw their proposal.”

Robbins is also impressed by Jitters’ ownership team, Jose Garcia and his nephew Jose Munguia. She says, “They have a long history working in the restaurant business, way before they joined forces to buy Jitters a few years ago.”

Garcia is equally impressed with Lowell Observatory. He says, “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. Partnering with them and being part of that heritage is amazing.”

The Planet X Cafe 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 cafe captures this rich history in a beautiful display of historic drawings, celestial motifs, and themes of discovery. It also features displays of the Nackard family, as sponsors of the cafe.

Initially, the cafe will employ six full-time staff members. Munguia says, “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.

Dr. Amanda Bosh, Chief Operating Officer at Lowell Observatory, 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.”

About Lowell Observatory
Founded in 1894, Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, is a renowned nonprofit research institution. It is the site of historic and groundbreaking discoveries, including the first evidence of the expanding universe and the discovery of Pluto. Today, Lowell’s astronomers utilize global ground-based and space telescopes, along with NASA spacecraft, for diverse astronomical and planetary science research. The observatory hosts over 100,000 annual visitors for educational tours, presentations, and telescope viewing through a suite of world-class public telescopes.

About Jitters Lunchbox
Established in 1996, Jitters Lunchbox offers breakfast and lunch featuring great sandwiches, salads, made-from-scratch soups, and specialty coffee drinks. It is also a popular place in Flagstaff for homemade cookies and pastries. Jitters’ mission principles include preparing food with only quality products, caring for customers with superior service so they come in as a customer but leave as a friend, consistency in preparing all food and drinks, cleanliness to ensure a healthy environment, and employing caring people.

Media Contact:
Kevin Schindler | Press Information Officer and Historian
(928) 607-1387
kevin@lowell.edu