We had the good fortune of connecting with Joshua Dollgener and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joshua, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Emporium founder, Eric Bolton, brought me on to help with this project with a common goal to provide Fort Collins a new social gathering hub free of any standard expectations. We wanted to bring the community a fresh take on a bar that offered more than what many would traditionally assume, which led to the creation of The Emporium.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

The Emporium is the ultimate bar for those who love to hang loose and get Dazed and Confused. Inspired by the classic movie of the same name, our bar is a throwback to the wild and carefree days of the 1970s. When you step through our doors, you’ll be transported back in time to a world of rock n’ roll, neon lights, and endless possibilities.

Our bartenders are some of the best in the business, and they’ll mix you up a drink that will have you feeling like you’re in another dimension. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic cocktail or something a little more adventurous, we’ve got you covered. And if you’re feeling peckish, our kitchen serves up some of the best grub this side of Fort Collins.

But what really sets Emporium apart is our atmosphere and stellar customer service. Our patrons feel welcomed from the first time they step foot in our establishment when welcomed with a warm smile, and continue to come back and spread word to their friends. A big lesson that can be taken from our journey is simply this: Treat others the way you would like to be treated. This golden rule is taught from an early age but it is never more true than it is today. When you treat people with respect and take a genuine interest in their lives, they return with the same and want to see you succeed as well. We are all about a culture of mutual respect and that will always be at the core of our business.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When friends visit, I always start with showing them around some of the local natural beauties so many of us take for granted. We may take a trip up to the Horsetooth reservoir for a quick swim, drive up the Poudre canyon to enjoy the river, or visit Lory State park to hike up Arthur’s Rock. We catch live performances by local musicians, who pour their heart and soul into their craft, at the Mishawaka, Lyric Cinema, or The Aggie. I always take visiting friends to grab some pie and check out the local 80’s museum at Totally 80’s Pizza, enjoy some beers at Odell Brewing, and play frisbee golf at the Cache la Poudre Disc Golf course. We inevitably spend a lot of time at the Emporium shooting pool or playing darts and, at some point in the week, we make sure to stroll around Old Town Fort Collins in the evening to see a comedy show at The Comedy Fort and watch the nightlife unfold.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Eric Bolton, since day one, has been our fearless leader at Emporium and has been a big mentor in my life, both personally and professionally. The business was originally founded by him and Roger Martin, both of which deserve all credit and recognition for where our business has gone and will continue to go.

Website: www.emporiumsportsbar.com

Instagram: emporiumsportsbar

Facebook: emporiumsportsbar

Youtube: emporiumsportsbar

Other: TikTok: emporiumsportsbar

Image Credits
Spothopper

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