Comments lead popular restaurant to remove bid for Fort Myers property

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FORT MYERS, Fla. City council members hope to change a popular restaurant’s mind following controversial comments from Mayor Randy Henderson.

Columbia, which was founded in Tampa’s Ybor City in 1905, has 7 locations around the state. The owner, Richard Gonzmart, wanted to make the City Pier Building at 1300 Hendry St. its eighth location but backed out of the bid last week, Columbia chief marketing officer Michael Kilgore said.

“It did seem like we had a lack of support from the mayor,” he said. “We thought it was best for everybody to withdraw our bid and move on.”

The decision came after Henderson told The News-Press it was unlikely that council members would ignore a recommendation by a selection committee for another restaurant.

Henderson argues his words were taken out of context and is surprised that the restaurant would back out because of them.

“I regret that they felt a need to do this,” Henderson said. “I wish the council in it’s normal process would have been granted the opportunity to hear the presentations in chambers with facts and details.”

The selection committee ranked Oxbow, a water sport retail store and rental outlet, over Columbia during a presentation last week, city spokeswoman Kirsten O’Donnell said

The city council is expected to discuss their selection on Monday.

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