Richard 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.

He graduated from 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.

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. 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. as well as the oldest Spanish restaurant in the United States. It was founded by Casimiro Hernandez Sr., Richard Gonzmart's great-grandfather.

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.

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.

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. University of South Florida, Athletic Task Force University of South Florida, Hall of Fame Selection Committee Best-Loved Recipes from the Columbia Restaurant, 2014