Andrea Gonzmart Williams: A life dedicated to community service, business success | Tampa

As the fifth-generation head of Columbia Restaurant Group, Andrea Gonzmart Williams has carved out a leadership role in Tampa’s Hispanic community.

With a professional journey marked by hard work and a passion for tackling new challenges, she has been recognized as the 2024 Woman of the Year by Tampa Hispanic Heritage. Her life is a testament to preserving cultural roots and community, and her story reveals the influence her roots have had on her business philosophy.

During Hispanic Heritage Month, Gonzmart Williams actively participated in various activities celebrating Hispanic culture and its impact in the United States. Her business leadership has left an indelible mark on the city, inspiring future generations to proudly raise their flags and feel part of the change that the Hispanic community is driving in Tampa.

The story of Gonzmart Williams’ leadership at Columbia Restaurant dates to 1905, beginning with Casimiro Hernández Sr., a young Cuban immigrant of Spanish descent who arrived in Ybor City in 1902, drawn by the promise of a land full of opportunities. Despite the difficulties he faced as an immigrant, he found his first job at Florida Brewery, located on Fifth Avenue.

Then in 1905, Hernández — who was Gonzmart Williams’ great-great-grandfather — opened The Saloon Columbia, a corner café serving Cuban coffee and sandwiches to cigar factory workers. It quickly became a meeting point for Ybor City’s immigrant community.

By 1918, Prohibition forced Casimiro to reinvent his business. He turned Columbia into a restaurant that not only adapted to the times but grew rapidly with the acquisition of the neighboring restaurant, La Fonda.

In 1919, his son Casimiro Jr. joined the business, ensuring the continuation of the family tradition. The Hernández-Gonzmart family faced significant economic challenges, from Casimiro Sr.’s death in 1929 to the Great Depression that shook the country that same year. But under Casimiro Jr.’s leadership, Columbia survived and thrived, cementing its place in the history of Ybor City and Tampa’s Hispanic community.

Columbia became a key place for local workers, offering not only Cuban and Spanish food but also a refuge for the community during tough times. Casimiro Hernández Sr. laid the foundation for what is now one of the region’s best-known restaurants, leaving a legacy that his descendants have carried on.

The legacy continues

Gonzmart Williams’ career began at an early age, working at Columbia Restaurant from the age of 10.

“I started filing documents in the corporate office, and by the time I was 12, I was a hostess at the Ybor City restaurant,” the businesswoman recalled, reminiscing about her first steps in the business world. This early experience allowed her to learn all aspects of the restaurant, from customer service to management.

“This is something that runs in my blood — my life has always been tied to this place and the community that has supported us for generations,” Gonzmart said.

Over time, Gonzmart Williams took on more responsibilities within the restaurant, working in various roles that prepared her to lead the company. It was her dedication that eventually led her, in 2001, to become the first woman to work in Columbia’s kitchen, breaking barriers in an industry traditionally dominated by men. This achievement, which came after her graduation from the University of South Florida, was a pivotal moment in her career.

“That experience taught me to break down barriers and show that gender is not a limitation,” she said. “I knew I would have to work twice as hard to prove my worth, but I was always ready for the challenge.”

“My experience was a bit intimidating at first, but I was excited to have the opportunity to learn how the kitchen worked and the overall operation,” she recalled.

Gonzmart Williams has been an advocate for the inclusion of women in leadership roles within the industry. Her own experience has led her to promote a more equitable work environment and encourage new generations of women to follow in her footsteps.

“I am raising my daughter to never feel limited by her gender or by being of Hispanic descent. I want her to know that she is capable of achieving whatever she sets her mind to,” she said about her approach to raising her daughter, Amelia.

“My daughter is 50% Irish, but I need to ensure that she embraces the 50% Latina in our family and herself, so that it doesn’t fade with her generation. It’s so important, as parents and as Hispanics, that we make sure that legacy continues through the next generations,” she said.

Hispanic heritage

Despite growing up in a household where English was the primary language, Gonzmart Williams has reconnected deeply with her Hispanic heritage in recent years.

“For a long time, I struggled with my identity as a Latina because I didn’t speak Spanish. It was something I battled with until I realized that my heritage goes far beyond the language,” she confessed.

Being named the 2024 Woman of the Year by Tampa Hispanic Heritage has prompted her to reflect on the importance of preserving cultural roots and passing them on to future generations.

“When I was given the honor of being Woman of the Year, I embraced that distinction with pride and started to realize that I cannot deny what runs through my veins. And that made me understand that I cannot let that cultural heritage end with my generation, and how important it is for me and for my daughter that she understands what she is and where she comes from. Because I am the fifth generation, and she will be the sixth. We must continue the tradition and legacy.”

For Gonzmart Williams, Hispanic Heritage Month has been an opportunity to celebrate and promote the culture she values so much.

“It’s important that our traditions stay alive and that younger generations understand where we come from and what defines us as a community. They should get involved with organizations like Tampa Hispanic Heritage so they can find a place to immerse themselves and discover who they are,” she added.

The family legacy is not only evident in the daily operation of the restaurant but also in the Gonzmart family’s dedication to philanthropy. Through the Gonzmart Family Foundation, Andrea and her family have funded more than 31 scholarships for Latino students at the University of South Florida, providing opportunities for talented young people who otherwise could not afford a college education.

This focus on education is something the businesswoman inherited from her parents and grandparents, who always saw it as the key to progress.

As the leader of the Columbia Restaurant Group, the executive has stood out not only in the business world but also in the community. She has been an active member of numerous boards, including the Hillsborough County Tourist Development Council, the University of South Florida Foundation Board of Directors, and the Florida Aquarium Board. “My family has always believed that giving back to the community that has supported us so much is essential,” she said.

One of her most notable initiatives has been the creation of the Employee Relief Fund, a fund aimed at providing assistance to Columbia employees facing financial hardships. This action reflects Andrea’s approach to ensuring that her company is not only successful but also cares for those who make its daily operation possible.

“My father always taught me that business success is not only measured by revenue but by the well-being of your employees and the community around you,” she noted.

Through her philanthropic work and business leadership, Gonzmart Williams has reaffirmed her dedication to Tampa’s development and improving the quality of life for Hispanics in the region.

“It is an honor to contribute to the growth of our community, and I will continue to work to ensure that our Hispanic culture continues to thrive,” she said.

Recently, some of her restaurants in Tampa Bay were affected by Hurricane Helene as it passed through the Gulf of Mexico waters.

“Our Sand Key location in Clearwater Beach lost all its product due to the power outage, and in Sarasota, the restaurant suffered significant damage from water intrusion,” she explained.

However, far from being discouraged, the owner and her team immediately began rebuilding efforts. “Fortunately, we have an incredible team and trusted partners who helped us start the reconstruction process right away,” she said.

Despite the devastation, her main concern was always the safety of her employees and their families. “A business can be rebuilt, but the most important thing is that everyone is safe,” she commented.

This resilient approach is characteristic of Gonzmart Williams’ leadership as a woman with Hispanic roots, who has faced every challenge with the same mindset: focusing on solutions and moving forward. Her ability to manage crises and keep her team motivated is key to the recovery and rebuilding of the businesses.

“Our culture is strong and solid,” she said. “It will take us a few weeks to get back to where we want to be in Sarasota, but we will get there soon.”