Team behind Lola’s to be restaurant partner to Kiewit Luminarium

OMAHA, NE, September 19, 2022 — Owners of Lola’s in Dundee announced they will open a new café inside Kiewit Luminarium science center next spring.

Named Fig., the café will offer fresh, approachable food made from scratch. While the new concept will differ from Lola’s, the two restaurants share the same values for high-quality ingredients and sustainable sourcing. Fig. will provide family-friendly and kid-friendly options including lunches for field trip groups as well as catering services for event rentals.

The café space is located on the southeast corner of the 82,000 sq ft Kiewit Luminarium building, with views of the river and ample outdoor space. Fig. will evolve throughout the day to serve Kiewit Luminarium visitors, RiverFront pedestrians, locals and tourists, offering coffee, breakfast, lunch and happy hour options. The café will also feature baked goods, including sourdough bread and pastries.

Fig. owners Clare Watson Bartolomei, Corina Figueroa and Philip Schaffart saw an opportunity to form a creative partnership with Kiewit Luminarium and to explore science and culture through food. After opening, the Luminarium will host weekly, adults-only nights where visitors can explore exhibits and enjoy special programming opportunities, including food and drink focused programs such as the Science of Cocktails.

“We’re going to get to do what we love every day while also creating new experiences for visitors outside the walls of the café,” said Figueroa. “For example, we can demonstrate and discuss a process like fermentation, which we use in our baking.”

“We’re inspired by the community-focused vision of the Luminarium and we’re excited to bring people together through good food,” said Watson Bartolomei.

“With Fig., we have a fresh, local concept and committed program partner that is also an experienced place-maker and excellent operator. This is a perfect recipe!” said Silva Raker, Kiewit Luminarium CEO. “We look forward to ‘playing with our food’ through an accessible science lens.”

Kiewit Luminarium will open in April 2023 with over 100 eye-opening exhibits that encourage visitors of all ages and backgrounds to explore their curiosity. In advance of its April 2023 opening, the Kiewit Luminarium team is engaging community members in exhibit development and through pop-ups at locations throughout the region.

About Fig.
Fig. Café is a multifaceted culinary brand that seeks to create honest, fresh and approachable food using high- quality ingredients and from scratch production. Located inside Kiewit Luminarium on the Omaha RiverFront, Fig. will serve breakfast, coffee, lunch and happy hour. Fig. is owned and operated by Clare Watson Bartolomei, Corina Figueroa and Philip Schaffart, who also own Lola’s in Dundee. For more information, please visit www.figomaha.com.