Editing Robert de Varona

'''Robert de Varona''', called "Mr. D" by many, is a Cuban-born entrepreneur who owns airport concession company [[Varona Enterprises]] and a standalone restaurant, [[Varona's Havana Café]], under construction on [[12th Avenue]]. He is married to [[Eloise Lautier de Varona]], president of [[Artel Gallery]].

Born in [[Wikipedia:Camagüey|Camagüey, Cuba]],<ref>[http://www.varona.com/restaurants.html Varona Restaurants]</ref> Varona immigrated to America in {{date needed}}. He founded [[Varona Enterprises]] in [[1972]] and opened the first minority-owned airport concession at the [[Wikipedia:Stapleton International Airport|Stapleton International Airport]] in Denver, plus other airport operations in Dallas-Ft. Worth, St. Louis and Orlando.<ref>[http://www.aviationtoday.com/pressreleases/18364.html AviationToday.com]</ref>

Varona moved to Pensacola in [[1990]]<ref name="restaurant"/> and now operates several concessions in the [[Pensacola Regional Airport]], including Varona's café (originally called "Hangar Bay" before a $300,000 renovation in [[2000]]<ref>"Pensacola airport pushes to be better." ''Pensacola News Journal'', August 11, 2000.</ref>) and two gift shops.

In [[2006]] Varona announced plans to open a separate restaurant outside the airport. After contemplating two [[Downtown Pensacola|downtown]] locations — the site of the [[Lee House]], demolished after [[Hurricane Ivan]],<ref>"Lee House site plan reworked." ''Pensacola News Journal'', July 18, 2006.</ref> and the [[McCollough House]], where his wife's [[Artel Gallery]] is located<ref>"Plan for Cuban eatery scrapped." ''Pensacola News Journal'', August 24, 2006.</ref> — Varona chose to renovate the former [[State Farm Claims Insurance]] building at 5121 North [[12th Avenue]], near the airport. It is scheduled for completion in March [[2008]].<ref name="restaurant">"Restaurateur to open new Cuban-style eatery." ''Pensacola News Journal'', October 22, 2007.</ref>

He is a regular patron of the arts community and served as president of the [[Pensacola Symphony Orchestra]] from [[2005]]-[[2006]].

==References==
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[[Category:Natives of Cuba|Varona, Robert]] [[Category:Restaurateurs|Varona, Robert]]