{{Short description|American restauranteur (born 1953)}} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Richard Gonzmart | image = | caption = | birth_name = Ricardo Orlando Gonzalez-Gonzmart | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1953|3|21|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Tampa, Florida]], US | death_date = | death_place = | other_names = | occupation = [[restaurateur]], [[community leader]] | years_active = 1973–present | known_for = [[Columbia Restaurant]] | spouse = Melanie Heiny | children = Lauren and Andrea | mother = [[Adela Hernandez Gonzmart|Adela Hernandez]] | father = [[Cesar Gonzmart]] }}
'''Richard Gonzmart''' (born March 21, 1953) is chairman of the [[Columbia Restaurant]], the ''1905 Family Of Restaurants'' and a [[Community leader]].
==Early years== Gonzmart is the second child of [[César Gonzmart]] and [[Adela Hernandez Gonzmart]], born in [[Tampa, Florida]] after his parents retired as touring musicians and assisted with the family's business, the Columbia Restaurant. His older brother, Casey, also worked in the family restaurant business. Gonzmart recalls his grandfather, Casimiro Hernandez Jr., teaching him to identify fresh fish when he was 3½-years-old. He and worked summers in the Columbia restaurant kitchen beginning at age 12.<ref name="RIC">{{cite web |title=Richard Gonzmart |url=https://www.1905familyofrestaurants.com/richardgonzmart |website=1905familyofrestaurants.com |publisher=1905 Family of Restaurants |access-date=31 January 2025}}</ref> He graduated from [[Jesuit High School (Tampa)|Jesuit High School]] in Tampa with the class of 1971. His next stop was at the [[University of Denver]], Daniels College of Business studying at the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management. He also studied in [[Madrid, Spain]] at the Escuela de Turismo y Hosteleria.<ref name="RIC" />
===Name origin=== His father, César Gonzalez Martinez, changed the family's surname to Gonzmart, drawn both from his father's surname of Gonzalez and his mother's name, Martinez.<ref name="DIE">{{cite web |last1=Clary |first1=Susan |title=Columbia patriarch Gonzmart dead at 72 |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1992/12/11/columbia-patriarch-gonzmart-dead-at-72/ |website=tampabay.com |publisher=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=22 August 2023}}</ref>
===Family=== Gonzmart married Melanie Heiny, his high school sweetheart, in 1973. The couple have two daughters, Lauren and Andrea; the latter is a fifth-generation owner/operator of the family's restaurant business.<ref name=MOS /> There are five grandchildren.<ref name=RIC /><ref name=MOS />
As a runner, Gonzmart has completed 24 [[marathons]] and more than 100 [[triathlons]]. In 1990, he was state champion of the ESM Triathlon series and finished third in the National Sprint Triathlon championships in his age division. On two occasions, he [[Running of the bulls|ran with the bulls]] in [[Pamplona]], [[Spain]].<ref name=RIC />
Gonzmart completed a 7-week Citizens Training Academy hosted by the Tampa Police Department. He became an honorary sheriff's deputy of Hillsborough County and honorary police officer in Tampa.<ref name=RIC />
===Publications=== Gonzmart authored/co-authored two books, including "[https://upf.com/book.asp?id=9780813033655 The Columbia Restaurant: Celebrating a Century of History, Culture and Cuisine]," a collection of both historical research and beloved restaurant recipes.
===Dogs=== He has a passion for [[German Shepherds]]; he breeds and shows world-class animals internationally.<ref name=RIC /><ref name="DOG">{{cite web |last1=Morgan |first1=Philip |title=Columbia restaurant's owner Richard Gonzmart owns German shepherd as buddies and bodyguards|url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/columbia-restaurants-owner-richard-gonzmart-owns-german-shepherd-as/1205546 |website=Tampabay.com |publisher=Tampa Bay Times |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316212645/http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/columbia-restaurants-owner-richard-gonzmart-owns-german-shepherd-as/1205546 |access-date=2 February 2025 |archive-date=March 16, 2014 }}</ref> When Gonzmart was young, his parents bought a dog for protection after being twice victimized by robbers in their home. Gonzmart brings two of his dogs with him to work most days, which gives him a sense of security. His daughter Andrea has her own shepherd.<ref name=DOG />
==Career== Gonzmart has focused on promoting, managing and expanding his family's Spanish and Cuban-themed group of Columbia Restaurants and Columbia Cafes in addition to expanding the brands under the '''1905 Family Of Restaurants'''. In 1991, just before his father's death, the group of Columbia restaurants earned $42 million.<ref name=TRI />
===Columbia=== The Columbia Restaurant in [[Ybor City]], [[Tampa, Florida]] is the oldest continuously operated restaurant in Florida<ref name="SPT">{{cite news |title=State senators praise Columbia Restaurant's 100 years |newspaper=St Petersburg Times Online |author=Times Staff |date=2005-04-14 |url=http://www.sptimes.com/2005/04/14/State/State_senators_praise.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050531222617/http://www.sptimes.com/2005/04/14/State/State_senators_praise.shtml |archive-date=2005-05-31}}</ref> as well as the oldest [[Spanish cuisine|Spanish restaurant]] in the United States.<ref name="FLH">[http://www.flheritage.com/services/sites/floridians/?section=t#Tampa Florida Heritage website: Great Floridians 2000 Program-Cesar Gonzmart] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930182458/http://www.flheritage.com/services/sites/floridians/?section=t |date=2007-09-30}}</ref> It was founded by Casimiro Hernandez Sr., Richard Gonzmart's great-grandfather.<ref name=MOS /> In addition to the original location in Ybor City, there are Columbia restaurants in [[Sarasota, Florida|Sarasota]] (opened in 1959);<ref name="History" /> in [[St. Augustine, Florida|St. Augustine]] (opened in 1983); on [[Sand Key (barrier island)|Sand Key]] (1989); and in [[Celebration, Florida]] (1997).<ref name="History" /> There are also smaller Columbia Café restaurants located at the [[Tampa Bay History Center]] on the [[Tampa Riverwalk|Riverwalk]] (opened in 2009) and at [[Tampa International Airport]] (opened in May 2012).<ref name="History">{{cite web |title=The Columbia Experience — View All Locations |website=columbiarestaurant.com |url=https://www.columbiarestaurant.com/view-all-locations |access-date=2022-12-15}}</ref>
===Other eateries=== Gonzmart oversaw the 1988 launch of tropical-themed ''Cha-Cha Coconuts'', a casual, tropical-themed bar and restaurant on Sarasota's St. Armands Circle on Lido Key.<ref name="TRI">{{cite web |last1=Servis, Jr |first1=Richard L. |title=6th Feature Article-Cesar Gonzmart and the Columbia Restaurant |url=http://richardservis.tripod.com/thecarefreetravelermagazine/id11.html |website=Tripod.com |publisher=Tripod |access-date=10 August 2011}}</ref>
The restaurant ''Ulele'' opened in August 2014 in Tampa Heights overlooking the Hillsborough River. It was named for the daughter of a native Tocobaga chief as well as the adjacent Ulele Spring which flows to the river. The menu features native-inspired dishes. The restaurant features an on-site brewery, ''Ulele Spring Brewery'', a nod to Columbia's 1903 origins as Saloon Columbia.<ref name=RIC /><ref name=MOS />
''Goody Goody™'' was a popular Tampa burger restaurant that opened in 1925 but closed in 2005. Gonzmart reopened it in August 2016 in Hyde Park Village, featuring the original ''Burger P.O.X.'' and ''butterscotch pie''.<ref name=RIC /><ref name=MOS />
''Café Con Leche Ybor City'' was a new concept that premiered in March 2017 at Tampa International Airport in addition to new locations of ''Ulele'' and ''Goody Goody'' in Airside C.<ref name=RIC /><ref name=MOS />
====Casa Santo Stefano==== The '''Ferlita Macaroni Co.''' was constructed in 1925 in [[Ybor City]]. The building was used to manufacture macaroni and served as a residence for the Ferlita family during the Great Depression. It was saved from demolition in the early 2000s and restored between 2009 and 2012.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ferlita Macaroni Factory in Ybor City |url=http://ferlitamacaronifactory.com/ybor_factory_2010.htm |website=ferlita macaroni factory |access-date=1 February 2025}}</ref>
Gonzmart's ''Casa Santo Stefano'' restaurant opened November 2020 in the former Ferlita macaroni factory. The companion ''Santo’s Drinkeria'' is situated on the building's rooftop. The restaurant pays homage to Sicilian immigrants who arrived in Ybor City at the turn of the 19th century for a new life.<ref name=RIC />
==Philanthrophy== Gonzmart's family has always been generous to their communities. His parents provided financial and mentoring support to the University of South Florida in Tampa since the university's opening in 1960. The Latino Scholarship program was initiated by his mother in 1991 to help deserving minority students at USF.<ref name=RIC /> Throughout his life, he gave both of his time and treasure.
===Speaking=== Gonzmart speaks about hospitality at numerous events every year that range from commencement speeches to high school classes to college courses.<ref name=RIC />
===Fundraising=== April: The 28th annual ''Cesar Gonzmart Memorial Gourmet Golf Tournament'' was held April 26, 2024. Money from players and sponsors benefit several USF's Latino Scholarship Program.<ref name=RIC />
June: In 2014 Gonzmart began the annual ''Richard’s Father’s Day Family Walk/Jog'' to benefit [[H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute|Moffitt Cancer Center]]. Over $1 million raised.<ref name=RIC />
September: The ''Community Harvest'' program is an annual event. Since its inception in 1998, over $4.4 million has gone to non-profit organizations in Florida. All Columbia, Ulele, Casa Santo Stefano and Cha Cha Coconuts restaurants donate 5 percent of guest checks to local charities chosen by the guests.<ref name=RIC />
November: ''Richard’s Run For Life'' is a [[5K run]] that also benefits the Moffitt Cancer Center. The event has generated more than $3 million since 2002.<ref name=RIC />
==Hall of Fames== *Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNA) Hall of Fame, 2018<ref name=MOS /> *Academy of the Holy Names Athletics Hall of Fame, 2010<ref name=RIC /><ref name=MOS /> *Florida Tourism Hall of Fame by the Florida Commission on Tourism, 2006<ref name=RIC /> *Tampa Bay Business Hall of Fame, 2003<ref name=RIC /> *Florida State University Dedman School of Hospitality Hall of Fame, 2001 *Jesuit Athletic Hall of Fame, 2000<ref name=RIC />
==Boards of Directors== *Gonzmart Family Foundation<ref name=RIC /> *[[St. Leo University]], Board of Trustees<ref name=RIC /> *[[Tampa Bay Lightning]], Community Heroes Advisory Committee<ref name=RIC /> *[[H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute]] Foundation<ref name=RIC /> *Visit Tampa Bay, Advisory Board *Starting Right, Now<ref name=RIC /> *[[University of Tampa]], Board of Fellows<ref name=RIC /> *[[University of Tampa]], Inaugural Florida Entrepreneur & Family Business Advisory Board<ref name=RIC /> *[[Florida Highway Patrol]], Advisory Council Executive Board of Directors<ref name=RIC /> *Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association<ref name=RIC /> *[[University of South Florida]], Foundation & Emeritus Society<ref name="USF">{{cite web |title=Gonzmart family gives $1 million to support USF's on-campus stadium |url=https://giving.usf.edu/impact/gonzmart-family-gives-1-million-support-usf-campus-stadium |website=usf.edu |publisher=University of South Florida |access-date=31 January 2025}}</ref> *[[University of South Florida]], Athletic Task Force<ref name=RIC /> *[[University of South Florida]], Latin Community Advisory<ref name=RIC /> Committee<ref name=MOS /> *TGH Foundation, Campaign Committee<ref name=RIC /> *AMI Kids<ref name=RIC /> *Visit Tampa Bay, Chairman<ref name=RIC /> *Tampa Chamber of Commerce, Executive Committee & Board of Governors<ref name=RIC /> *[[Tampa General Hospital]], Governing Board and Trustee<ref name="MOS">{{cite web |title=Richard Gonzmart |url=https://moseswhitefoundation.org/richard-gonzmart/ |website=moseswhitefoundation.org |publisher=Moses White Foundation |access-date=31 January 2025}}</ref> *[[University of South Florida]], Hall of Fame Selection Committee<ref name=RIC /> *Hillsborough County Schools, Culinary Operations Academy, Advisory Committee<ref name=RIC /> *Hillsborough County Commission, Tourist Development Council, 30 years<ref name=RIC /> *[[Cristo Rey Tampa High School]]<ref name=RIC /> *[[Humane Society of Pinellas]] Advisory Board<ref name=RIC /> *[[Florida Council on Arts and Culture]]<ref name=RIC /> *[[United Way]] of Tampa Bay<ref name=RIC /> *J. Clifford McDonald Center<ref name=RIC /> *[[National Conference for Community and Justice|The National Conference of Christians and Jews]]<ref name=RIC /> *[[Straz Center for the Performing Arts]], Two terms<ref name=RIC /> *[[Jesuit High School (Tampa)|Jesuit High School Foundation]] and the Board of Trustees<ref name=RIC /> *[[Academy of the Holy Names (Florida)|Academy of the Holy Names]], Trustee <ref name=RIC /><ref name=MOS /> *[[Ybor City|Ybor City Chamber of Commerce]], President<ref name=RIC /> *[[St. Johns, Florida|St. Johns Florida Restaurant Board]], Founding Chairman<ref name=RIC />
==Honors== *Appointed to the [[Selective Service Board]] by President [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1982.<ref name=RIC /> *Iron Bull supporters, USF Athletics,<ref name=USF /><ref name=RIC /> *Awarded an honorary doctorate in business administration from USF, 2022.<ref name=USF /> *[[Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice]] from [[Pope Francis]]<ref name=MOS /> *Semi-finalist for [[James Beard Foundation Award|Outstanding Restaurateur]] three-time.<ref name=MOS /> *Community Hero, Tampa Bay Lightning.<ref name=MOS /> *Community Hero, Boys and Girls Clubs.<ref name=MOS /> *Community Hero, Big Brothers and Big Sisters.<ref name=MOS />
==Books== *''The Columbia Restaurant: Celebrating a Century of History, Culture, and Cuisine'', 2009<ref>{{cite book |last1=Huse |first1=Andrew T. |title=The Columbia Restaurant: Celebrating a Century of History, Culture, and Cuisine |date=2009 |isbn=978-0813033655 }}</ref> *''Best-Loved Recipes from the Columbia Restaurant'', 2014<ref>{{cite book | last1=Gonzmart | first1=Richard |title=Best-Loved Recipes from The Columbia Restaurant | date=July 22, 2014 | isbn=978-0942084160 }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/ Columbia Restaurant website] *[http://digital.lib.usf.edu/?C61 University of South Florida Libraries: The Columbia Restaurant & Gonzmart Family Collection, 1903-] *[https://www.1905familyofrestaurants.com/richardgonzmart Richard Gonzmart] *[https://www.1905familyofrestaurants.com/fourthgeneration1905family Gonzmart Family]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gonzmart, Richard}} [[Category:1953 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Tampa, Florida]] [[Category:University of Denver alumni]] [[Category:American restaurateurs]] [[Category:Community activists]] [[Category:Businesspeople from Tampa, Florida]]