César Gonzmart (March 6, 1920 – December 9, 1992) was a concert violinist and entertainer, Spanish "nobleman" and energetic chairman of the $42 million Columbia Restaurant Group (1991).
Gonzmart was born César Gonzalez Martinez in Tampa, Florida and named by his mother for the Roman general and statesman, Julius Caesar.
In 1935 at age 15, César earned $20 a week substituting in the Columbia Restaurant's band; a job he held for three months before leaving for DeLand to attend college.
Although he traded his career as a musician for one as a restaurateur, after César Gonzmart became general manager, he regularly serenaded his guests with his violin and orchestra.
For the rest of his life, Gonzmart focused on managing and expanding the Spanish-themed Columbia group—opening high-volume dinner houses in Sarasota, St. Augustine, St. Petersburg and Clearwater Beach.
[2] Gonzmart also oversaw the launch of tropical-themed Cha-Cha Coconuts, a casual-themed bar & restaurant in 1988, now open in Sarasota's St. Armands Circle.