ABOUT US
UNION Bar & Soda Fountain is Fort Collins’ love letter to the golden age of American diners and soda fountains—reimagined for today. Step inside and you’re greeted by the warm glow of mid-century modern design, the cheerful clink of ice cream scoops, and the unmistakable fizz of house-made sodas.
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By day, it’s a bright, family-friendly gathering spot serving elevated comfort food from morning till night: juicy burgers, crispy fries, inventive sandwiches (with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options), and all-day brunch favorites. By evening, the lights dim, the bar bubbles alive with craft cocktails and boozy milkshakes, and the energy shifts to that perfect mix of nostalgia and celebration.
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Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch, lingering over brunch with friends, or toasting on our massive award-winning patio, UNION is where craveable food, refreshing drinks, and genuine good times come together—every single day.
OUR STORY
UNION was born from a simple but powerful idea: bring back the joy of places where people actually gathered. In 2018, after three years of dreaming, sketching, tasting, and obsessing over every detail, founding owners Ryan Houdek, Ty Fulcher, & Raffi Jergerian opened the doors to a modern soda fountain and diner that felt both brand new and instantly familiar.
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Inspired by the soda fountains of their childhoods and the classic American diners that once anchored Main Streets across the country, the trio set out to create something that honored that history without being trapped by it. They wanted a place that felt like home—welcoming to families, fun for date nights, and cool enough for a late-night cocktail.
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What started as a passion project quickly became one of Fort Collins’ most beloved destinations. Years later, UNION still feels like the fresh, exciting newcomer—because the team never stopped pouring their hearts into it.
LOCATION history
250 Jefferson Street carries a fascinating piece of Fort Collins history. For decades, the property belonged to the Union Pacific Railroad and leased to the city as Jefferson Park. When the railroad sold the land to Blue Ocean, the sale included strict lease restrictions: the site could never again be developed or used as a public park.
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Instead of becoming a quiet, underutilized corner, the property found new life when the current restaurant group purchased it. They saw the perfect opportunity to create something special right at the threshold between historic Old Town and the growing River District. Building from the ground up, they designed UNION to honor the site’s industrial railroad roots while filling it with warmth, light, and community energy.
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Today, what could have remained a restricted parcel is now one of Fort Collins’ most beloved gathering spots—a lively bridge between neighborhoods and a modern celebration of the soda fountain spirit that once defined American Main Streets.
TY FULCHER
RYAN HOUDEK
LOCALLY OWNED
Ryan Houdek and Ty Fulcher are Fort Collins restaurateurs and co-owners of
UNION Bar & Soda Fountain.
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HOUDEK initially moved to Fort Collins to work as a computer engineer for HP in 1995. His love for Old Town inspired him to open The Melting Pot and Rodizio Grill; and co-open Social and UNION with Ty Fulcher. In 2022, Houdek sold his interest in all concepts and now only owns a portion of UNION. He enjoys traveling, game nights, and binge-watching shows with his wife and dog.
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FULCHER is a CSU graduate and former sommelier/manager at The Melting Pot. He partnered with Houdek to open the Prohibition-inspired Social in 2013. Passionate about fermentation/distillation, he grew up "playing restaurant" and has built a career in hospitality.​