Coral Gables business owner says he's ready to leave after World Cup event issues with council members

May 22, 2026 - 10:41

The owner of a decades-old Coral Gables restaurant says he is ready to pack up and move his business elsewhere. He blames several city commission members for repeatedly delaying his proposal to host a World Cup watch party on the plaza outside his establishment.

The plan seemed straightforward: set up a large screen, some chairs, and a few food stalls to draw crowds during the international soccer tournament. But the owner says each time he brought the idea before the commission, it was pushed to the next meeting. He claims the delays cost him the chance to secure sponsors and permits in time for the event.

"I have been here for over 20 years, and I have never felt so unwelcome," he said in an interview. "They kept saying they needed more time to study the impact, but the clock ran out."

The dispute has now escalated. The owner says he has already started looking at vacant storefronts in neighboring cities that are eager to attract his business. He noted that other municipalities have offered faster approval processes and more support for community events.

City commission members have not commented directly on the case, but some have previously raised concerns about noise, traffic, and public safety during large gatherings on the plaza. The owner argues that similar events have been approved for other businesses in the past.

For now, the restaurant remains open, but the owner says he will make a final decision on relocation within the next 30 days. Longtime customers have started a petition to keep him in Coral Gables, but he says the damage to trust has already been done.