Columbia Restaurant facts for kids
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| Private | |
| Industry | Food Service |
| Founded | 1905 in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida |
| Headquarters | Tampa, Florida |
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Number of locations
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7 |
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Area served
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Florida |
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Key people
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Casey & Richard Gonzmart |
| Products | Spanish & Cuban Food, Wine & Entertainment |
| Revenue | $42M (1991-last published) |
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Number of employees
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1,200 |
| Parent | Columbia Restaurant Group |
The Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, Tampa, Florida, is a very special place. It's the oldest restaurant in Florida that has been open non-stop. It's also the oldest Spanish restaurant in the entire United States.
This huge restaurant is one of the biggest Spanish restaurants in the world. It has 1,700 seats across 15 dining rooms. The building covers a whole city block, about 52,000 square feet! It first opened in 1905. The Hernandez/Gonzmart family still owns it today. They serve delicious Spanish and Cuban cuisine dishes.
In 2009, a food critic named Laura Reily picked the Columbia Restaurant. She said it was one of the 25 most iconic restaurants in the Tampa Bay area. Nation's Restaurant News also called it a "Top 50 All-American icon."
Besides the first restaurant in Ybor City, there are other Columbia locations. One opened in Sarasota in 1959. It's the oldest restaurant there. Another is in the historic area of St. Augustine, opened in 1983. You can also find them on Sand Key (1989) and in Celebration (1997). There are smaller Columbia Café restaurants too. One is at the Tampa Bay History Center (2009). Another is at Tampa International Airport (2012).
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Fun Activities at Columbia Restaurant
Flamenco Dancing
The Columbia Restaurant often has live flamenco shows. Flamenco is a traditional dance from Spain. It involves rhythmic steps on a wooden floor. This dance started with the Spanish Gypsies. Over time, it became the structured dance we see today. Classical Spanish dances also include ballet-like moves. Dancers wear colorful Spanish costumes. They also use castanets, which make a clicking sound.
Community Harvest
The Columbia Restaurant helps many local groups. Each September, they run their Annual Community Harvest campaign. Over 90 nonprofit organizations have received money from this event. The restaurant donates 5% of all guest checks from lunch and dinner. Customers can even choose which charity gets the money. This event has raised over $1.5 million for Florida charities.
Cesar Gonzmart Memorial Golf Tournament
Richard and Casey Gonzmart started this golf tournament in 1998. They did it to honor their father, Cesar Gonzmart. The money raised goes to local charities. For example, in 2013, the tournament raised over $60,000 for the University of South Florida.
- One year, the tournament helped the American Heart Association. It gave $5,000 for a project. This project provides camp experiences for kids with heart conditions.
- Another year, it raised over $55,000. This money went to Moffitt Cancer & Research Institute. It also helped the University of South Florida Athletic Association. Plus, it supported a scholarship fund for Latino students.
- The 13th tournament raised over $50,000 for the University of South Florida. This included money for their athletic programs. It also helped the Columbia Restaurant Centenario Endowed Scholarship.
1905 Day
From 1980 to 2013, the restaurant celebrated "1905 Day." This special day was usually in mid-September. It was their way of celebrating the restaurant's anniversary. On this day, they offered a special menu. The prices were the same as they were in 1905!
Some of the items included:
- Chicken & Yellow Rice "Ybor" for $2.95
- Boliche (beef) or Merluza "Russian Style" for $2.95
- Columbia's Original "1905 Salad" for $1.95
- Coffee for 5¢
- Dessert Flan for 50¢
This event was very popular. People would line up early to enjoy the special prices. Richard Gonzmart, the current president, said it was their way of thanking customers. He believes their success comes from the support of the communities they serve.
Images for kids
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Exterior from across 7th Avenue, Ybor City
