Gluten-free bakery, cafe and 'dirty soda' bar opens in Fort Collins' Old Town Square

Explorado Market has officially moved to Old Town. The gluten-free bakery reopened in its new space at 11 Old Town Square on March 27 — expanding its array of diabetic-friendly goods, gluten-free and dairy-free treats, and adding a "dirty soda" bar into its mix.

The bakery's new space was formerly home to Little Bird Bakeshop, which recently moved to a new home at 613 S. College Ave.

Rob Benson, who founded Explorado Market with his wife, Kendra Benson, in 2018, said the bakery and cafe only offers items that are free of gluten, seed oils, carrageenan, peanuts and soy. It also offers various options for people with other dietary restrictions.

Because of its gluten-free focus, Benson said the new space had to undergo a rigorous cleaning process to ensure no gluten remnants were left behind.

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With the move, Explorado Market expanded some of its offerings, including items like its new bone broth latte, the option for heated quiches and pastries, as well as the addition of its "dirty soda" bar — Fort Collins' first.

Dirty soda bars — typically drive-thru shops that mix sodas with different combinations of creams, syrups and fruit juices — have found a foothold in other western states like Utah. Benson said Explorado Market currently has four signature combinations customers can order at its soda fountain, from a Harry Potter-inspired butterbeer to the "Summer Love," which combines Fresca with various fruit flavorings.

Customers can also make their own custom combinations, with many sugar-free options, Benson said.

Explorado Market is open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Gluten-free bakery Explorado Market opens in Old Town Fort Collins