Ybor City Chamber of Commerce Press Release

Gala LogoPress Contact:
Tom Favata                                                                                    
Ybor City Chamber                                                                            
813/248-3712 x21                                                        
 
FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE
 
Ybor City's Fuente Family to Receive Chamber's Gonzmart Award
 
(Tampa, FL July 29, 2010)  The Ybor City Chamber of Commerce will present the Adela & Cesar Gonzmart Award to the Fuente Family at its upcoming 45th Gala.  Ybor City's most renowned cigar family will receive the community's highest honor at the Annual Gala to be held at the Columbia Restaurant Friday, September 17th, 6:30 PM.
 
The Fuente Family has deep roots in Ybor City.  Auturo Fuente, the founder, established the family's first cigar manufacturing facility in the early 1900's. And in 2012, they will mark their centennial anniversary. The Fuentes are the oldest family in the cigar industry that began and still operates in Tampa. Recently, the Fuentes restored the family's four-story, brick cigar factory on 22nd Street to preserve its historic beauty.
 
"The Fuente Family is being recognized for its four generations of leadership in the community and the cigar industry," stated Tom Keating, President & CEO of the Ybor City Chamber.  "Fuente is not only a highly-respected brand-name in the world of fine cigars, but also stands for the kind of civic leadership that keeps our Historic District vibrant."
 
The award is named after Adela & Cesar Gonzmart, the third generation of Ybor's Gonzmart family and the couple credited with building the Columbia into Florida's oldest and the country's largest Spanish restaurant. This annual award recognizes an individual, family or corporation who distinguishes themselves through unique achievements to promote the cultural preservation and commercial revitalization of the Ybor Community.
 
The Ybor City Chamber's Annual Gala is the traditional beginning of the Latin social season.  Ybor City is the source of Tampa's Latin flavor and one of only two National Historic Landmark Districts in Florida.  For information on sponsorship, program ads, silent auction & wine tree donations and tickets contact Anna Ramos, Events Coordinator at [email protected] or 813.248.3712 x22.
 
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