barbeque chain looking to re-purpose fort collins gas station

A Fort Collins service station built in 1964 may soon see new life as the latest outlet for a popular Colorado barbecue chain.

The Denver-based Brothers BBQ has submitted a conceptual review application to the City of Fort Collins, detailing plans to convert the 2,414 square foot structure located at 501 S. Taft Hill Road into a restaurant.

The station, which opened in May of 1964, was originally known as the Frontier Service Station, but has been reconverted through the years, with its original sleek modern exterior covered with an overhanging façade.

In recent years, the building has operated as the Mulberry Station. Last year it was put up for sale with a listing price of $699,000.

Brothers BBQ, launched in 1998, currently has six restaurants and a catering kitchen. The new Fort Collins location would be the chain’s first Northern Colorado restaurant.

According to city documents, the renovation and upgrading of the gas station will include the building of an interior food service area, dining room, kitchen, food counter, and office, along with a front dining patio.

That work is expected to begin this spring, with a likely summer completion date.

The station was part of the Frontier Oil chain, which merged with the Holly Corporation nearly a decade ago to form the HollyFrontier Corporation.
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The reconversion of gas stations for a new purpose is a trend catching the eye of Architectural Digest, which last year took note of seven 1950s-era stations now serving as restaurants, calling them “the poster children for adaptive reuse done well.” 

​By Garry Boulard

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