People Behind the Plates

People Behind the Plates highlights the passionate people that make the Downtown Fort Collins restaurant scene so special. We're excited to introduce you to some of the people that make the magic happen at a few of our Great Plates of Downtown™ restaurants this year! If you see these people in real life, give them a high five! Read their full interviews here.

Bryan Baker | Owner, since the beginning - The Corner Slice

If you see someone running around downtown in the middle of winter wearing shorts, there is a good chance it’s Bryan Baker, Pizza Maker at The Corner Slice. The Corner Slice mothership opened in Steamboat in 2018, but Bryan only recently introduced Fort Collins to The Corner Slice, opening the restaurant downtown in the summer of 2022. He loves being at the restaurant when the place is humming with good music, good pizza, and good times! Treat yourself to a slice of happiness today, and enjoy the perfect cheese pull!

Most funny/heartfelt moment?
Watching the place hum! Good music, good pizza good times!

What makes you smile?
A lot! A big one is customers' excitement when we over deliver or simply satisfy to the point that they have to let us know!

What does Downtown mean to you?
Family, community and growth.

How would people recognize you?
I’m usually wearing shorts or sneaking a few runs on Steamboat resort!

Anything else?
Just to come on by The Corner Slice, your neighborhood pizzeria!

Charlie Hoxmeier | Owner and head brewer, 7 years - Gilded Goat Brewing Company

Remember adding Mentos to Coke as a kid? Well, Charlie Hoxmeier was on the receiving end of a similar chemical reaction when he was brewing one of Gilded Goat Brewing’s IPAs and got a nice beer bath. Laughs aside, Charlie is the owner and head brewer at Gilded Goat, along with being a professor of fermentation science at CSU, and loves how integral craft beer is in Fort Collins life. Charlie and the team at Gilded Goat pour in the passion and dedication to the beer. None of their success would be possible without the dedicated staff and loyal customers. Stop in and Charlie will happily serve you a beer at Gilded Goat!

Most funny/heartfelt moment?
I was up on a ladder, leaning over a fermenter adding hops to one of our IPAs when the beer in the tank decided to erupt. Think of adding mentos to a coke bottle, but with 30 gallons of ice cold beer. The beer shot like a geyser out of the tank and all over me. Fortunately, all of this was captured on our cameras. Unfortunately for me, and to the delight of our customers, we replay this video on the marketing screens in the brewery. People often think that it's a live feed and that someone in the brewery needs help until I tell them that it was me in the video.

What makes you smile?
My favorite little moment at the brewery is when I am working at the bar incognito and get to overhear all the positive things our customers say about our beer and our space. After a long day in the brewery, I feel so much validation and encouragement when someone comes in for the first time, or a regular orders their favorite, and they appreciate everything that has gone into making that one pint of beer.

What does Downtown mean to you?
Downtown Fort Collins is the showcase of our "little" town. When visitors come to town, our downtown area is usually the first time they get to experience the atmosphere of Fort Collins.  From small, locally owned restaurants prepping for service, unique bars with live music spilling out the door, community festivals celebrating peaches and beer. Our downtown community is inclusive and vibrant.

How would people recognize you?
I am also a professor of fermentation science at Colorado State University. Not only do I get to teach enthusiastic students the science of brewing and fermentation, I also get to apply that science at my brewery and use our business as an extension of my classroom.

Anything else?
Craft beer is part of the fabric of life in Fort Collins. This craft takes passion and dedication and is often a labor of love. None of our success would be possible without our dedicated staff and loyal customers. I am grateful for the support of this community and look forward to many more years passing beer over our bars.

Chris & Kristin Qualls | Co-owners, 8 months - Pour Brothers Community Tavern

Chris and Kristin Qualls are the new owners of Pour Brothers Community Tavern and love being in Fort Collins! If you’ve ever stopped by on a Wednesday night, you’ll know they stick true to the community in the name, hosting their Community Nights that support local nonprofits. Between those Community Nights and scavenger hunts with the staff, chatting and getting to know their customers, Chris and Kristin have made Pour Brothers their community hub in downtown. Next time you raise your glass, make sure it's a cheers to something good at Pour Brothers!

Most funny/heartfelt moment?
Getting to know the staff outside of work.  For example, we try to do a "fun" event regularly such as a beer tour at New Belgium.  We also hosted a great staff Christmas party where we played games like a scavenger hunt and charades.  For the scavenger hunt, we hid money at each hint and they were running around like excited little kids trying to figure out the clues and earning some money along the way.  It is important to us to build a fun and cohesive team and to get to know each other outside of the bar.

What makes you smile?
When we see people happy, whether they are staff or patrons.  I love seeing my husband talk up the customers...he is a natural!  My husband and I like to joke around with others, make people laugh, and make everyone feel comfortable and relaxed.  We do our best to treat staff, patrons, vendors, delivery personnel, and other business partners as we would like to be treated.  We also conduct Community Nights every Wednesday, where we feature a local non-profit and all tips earned between 5 and 7 PM are donated to the featured non-profit.  One of our core values is the strength of community for customers, staff, and downtown business owners.  We believe that people like to feel they are a part of something and we try to build that environment in all aspects of owning a business in the downtown Fort Collins community.

What does Downtown mean to you?
We moved here about a year and a half ago from Austin, TX (don't hold that against us)!  My husband went to CSU and he has always loved it here and has been wanting to come back for several years before we made the leap.  I visited Fort Collins many times with my husband over the years and I fell in love with it as well.  I went to college at the University of Texas in Austin and lived and worked there for 30+ years so I saw an extreme amount of change there.  Fort Collins reminds me a lot of Austin when it was much smaller, laid back, and cool.  Fort Collins provides a smaller community, a great place to raise kids, and no crazy heat in the summer!  My husband's favorite thing was getting away from the hot, hot summers in Texas!

How would people recognize you?
Anything that has to do with our two sons, ages 10 and 15 plus our two dogs.  They are busy boys with lots of sports and extracurricular activities.  We make an effort to squeeze in some family nights playing games, seeing movies, hiking, camping, fishing, going to the park, and spending quality time together.  Our boys were very excited to have their own featured sandwiches on our menu, the AJQ Italian and the Conman.

Anything else?
We took over the business from the previous owners, Dave and Kristy Wygmans, who laid so much of the foundation in making Pour Brothers Community Tavern a great place to come and enjoy the food, drinks, and sharing time with others.  We will be forever grateful to them for helping us get on our feet and for the countless hours, emails, and texts making sure the transition went smoothly and successfully.  We couldn't have done it without them!

Holli McElwee | Owner, 9 months - Kilwins Chocolates, Ice Cream & Confections

Holli McElwee has created many memories in downtown, but becoming the owner of Kilwins in 2023 is one of the sweetest so far. She loves watching her employees grow and succeed, helping someone pick out the perfect sweets for their sweetheart, and engaging with the customers. A touching encounter with a customer who used to visit and help her son study for finals at CSU was reliving those memories through savoring a Cappuccino Chip ice cream cone made Holli realize Kilwins is so much more than products and sweets. It’s about helping people create special memories. Holli will happily serve you the sweets next time you stop by, memories are yours for the making!

Most funny/heartfelt moment?
My supervisor and I were helping out a customer the week of Christmas. She mentioned she was a rancher in Kansas and drove to Kilwins in Fort Collins for the fudge the day before. Me, thinking I should probably let her know we offer shipping, was about to speak when she looked up from her Cappuccino Chip Ice Cream Cone and said, "I came for this too. I used to always come here with my son. He went to CSU, and I would drive up to help him study for finals."

Then, tears filled her eyes and she said she lost him in an accident a couple years ago, so each December she travels from Kansas to relive their special times and taste his favorite treats. Emotions overtook her and she quickly left the store.

It was then that I really realized this business is so much more than products and sweets. It is about helping people create special memories and being this safe spot where time can turn back and old memories come alive again, if even for a moment.

What makes you smile?
Personally: When I see new couples on date nights attempting to politely pick out truffles together, it always brings a smile to my face.  Or when one of the partners is just absolutely unsure of what kind of gift to pick for their loved one, it is fun to help the person find the perfect pairing. The customer walks out with a pep in their step.

Employee Wise: It is so satisfying watching my team members succeed. They begin timid those first few weeks and after just a little bit, they are confident, well-spoken and even feel more comfortable making suggestions. Above all, when a customer takes the time to personally compliment the employee or winks and puts down a little $$$ toward a tip, which equates to a college fund contribution for many of my seniors, it warms my heart.

What does Downtown mean to you?
Downtown Fort Collins is this incredibly special place and unique vibe. It is what I would consider to be the pulse of Fort Collins with so many lovely people.

Having been in NoCo since 2003, it is an area I, personally, met some of my dearest friends, created several memories in my early twenties in Old Town Square, grew from a college student to a professional, dated my husband, and became an entrepreneur. It is where new chapters began for me, with the ownership of Kilwins being one of the sweetest...so far.

How would people recognize you?
My favorite position is being a mommy to my beautiful girls. When not at the shop, I can be found working on local legislative affairs, volunteering, skiing, hiking, working with my horses or reading a good book.

Jason Hevelone | Owner and Inspired Distiller, 10 years - CopperMuse Distillery

Jason Hevelone has been the owner and inspired distiller at CopperMuse for 10 years and you can find him bottling some of their fantastic barrel-aged Gold Rum, mixing a cocktail, serving samples at a festival, or running the business with his wife, Heather. He enjoys seeing repeat customers come back because they loved their drink from CopperMuse so much! Jason loves being part of the vibrant downtown with so many quality, locally-owned retail and hospitality businesses within walking distance. So next time you’re at The Exchange, stop in at CopperMuse for a drink or just to say cheers to 10 years!

Most funny/heartfelt moment?
I'm a very task-oriented type of person. One day, I was busily bottling our barrel-aged Gold Rum for the very first time with one of my staff. We had been working solid for over 6 hours and finally got to the end of the bottling run. After cleaning up, I was about to start on my next task when a staff member stopped me and said, "Do you realize what you just accomplished? We need to take a moment to savor this moment." He then took out a couple of rocks glasses and poured us a taste of the golden rum. We sat in the sun and reflected on how good we had it. I try to remind myself every once in a while to slow down and enjoy these small victories.

What makes you smile?
We do several festivals and tasting events throughout the year. I always enjoy when someone tastes one of our cocktails for the first time and is taken aback by how good it is. We'll often see the same people standing in our line over and over again, to get additional samples or tell us it's the best cocktail at the whole event.

What does Downtown mean to you?
Downtown Fort Collins is the first place I think of for dining or taking guests when they visit. I love the ability to easily walk between so many quality, locally-owned retail and hospitality businesses. I appreciate how vibrant the downtown is throughout the whole year - downtown winter lighting, Great Plates, numerous concerts and outside activities, etc.

How would people recognize you?
They might see me on one of the many mountain biking or hiking trails in the area.

Anything else?
We are very excited to celebrate our 10-year Anniversary in April this year and give thanks to the many friends, family, and new acquaintances we've had the pleasure of serving this past decade.

Jonathan Bonne | General Manager/Chef de Cuisine, 5 months - Philippe French Bistro

To Jonathan Bonne, Downtown Fort Collins is more than just a location - it’s a vibrant epicenter of culture, history, and hospitality. As the General Manager and Chef de Cuisine, Jonathan is cooking up a storm in the kitchen to help bring people together for memorable experiences through French cuisine. But he also enjoys occasionally venturing out from the kitchen, especially for the heart-warming community staples, like Tiny Tot Halloween. Whether you’re a regular or a first-time visitor, don’t miss out on an opportunity to experience the magic at Philippe French Bistro, courtesy of Jonathan and the team!

Most funny/heartfelt moment?
Having the opportunity to take part in Tiny Tot Halloween last year was the standout moment for me. It was such a fun event, and I enjoyed being involved within our community. We are looking forward to this year!

What makes you smile?
Bringing people together to create a memorable experience through French cuisine and wine.

What does Downtown mean to you?
Old Town Fort Collins to me is the epicenter of culture, history, and hospitality in Northern Colorado. It's a brilliant place to work and visit.

How would people recognize you?
Wait... you guys leave the restaurant? Honestly, whenever I'm not at the restaurant, I try to take advantage of the time spent with my family.

Jose Chavez | General Manager, 1 year - Vatos Tacos and Tequila

If you stop by Vatos Tacos and Tequila and have the chance to talk to Jose Chavez, we can guarantee you’ll have a smile on your face in no time. As the General Manager, his staff and the customers at Vatos are what make Jose smile on a regular basis. Downtown is all about the community and relationships for Jose, and he believes the people of Fort Collins have some of the best attitudes and work ethic around. He has experienced the willingness of people to go above and beyond for those around them and can see the kindness radiating through Old Town. Make your way over to Vatos Tacos and delight in mouthwatering tacos, not just on Tuesdays!

Most funny/heartfelt moment?
My most fun and heartfelt moment at work thus far would be hard to pinpoint, although one that comes to mind would be recently when Johnson Elementary School came to the exchange for the Christmas caroling special we participated in this past December. In addition, my son attends this school currently so it was so rewarding to serve the community and children alike in such a gratifying and meaningful way!

What makes you smile?
My outstanding staffing and customers, of course! In all actuality, the people of Fort Collins have some of the best attitudes and work ethic around, always willing to go above and beyond for those around them, and the kindness radiates through Old Town to everyone willing to give this delightful little city a chance. Not to mention the wide array of colorful characters I get to interact with on a daily basis, there's always something new and invigorating to experience every day.

What does Downtown mean to you?
Downtown Fort Collins means a sense of community! There are so many great opportunities to build lasting, meaningful, symbiotic relationships with those around me and my staff. Old town is full of chances to have fun filled days whether it's with the awesome regulars we have or the amazing sets of newcomers always flowing in keeping things exciting and spontaneous.

How would people recognize you?
Outside of the restaurant, the people of Fort Collins recognize me from my charismatic and goofy demeanor, always talking to those around me in my community while simultaneously keeping things professional and entertaining. I've been in the area for over 15 years and working in the service industry for over 15  years. That coupled with my resourceful, charming nature, has allowed me to build lasting relationships with a wide array of lifestyles and cultures all around the region.

Lisa Paugh | Owner, 25 years - Walrus Ice Cream

Lisa Paugh gets a big smile on her face anytime she hands someone an ice cream cone covered in sprinkles. As the owner of Walrus Ice Cream since 1999, we know Lisa has spent a lot of time over the years slinging ice cream with a smile. Lisa loves not only being part of the downtown community, but also getting to be part of the special celebrations in people's lives - baby's first ice cream, graduation, first dates, weddings, birthdays, retirements, and just being together. The next time you need some sprinkles in your life, stop by to see Lisa and her team at Walrus!

Most funny/heartfelt moment?
It is hard to pick just one. We are lucky enough to be part of the biggest celebrations in people's lives, in our community. Baby's first ice cream, graduation, first dates, weddings, birthdays, retirements, and just being together.

What makes you smile?
Handing anyone an ice cream cone covered in sprinkles.

What does Downtown mean to you?
I love being local to Fort Collins. I believe in supporting the community that supports us.

How would people recognize you?
I sit on the board of Nosh NoCo, Adoption Dreams Come True, and I volunteer through Caring Canines with my dog Rigby at Respite Care in Fort Collins.

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