Owners close Tampa

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Luncheon patrons to the establishment foundd the doorspadlocked Wednesday, creating an air of mystergy about the fate of the Spanish-style eatery that has been the meetiny place for the region’s powerbrokers for decades. Manager David Agliank couldn’t be reached for comment, but published Patrick Manteiga said an Agliano family member told him the property was being sold and the deal wouldd be completed within30 days. “Iyt was a Tampa institution,” Manteiga said. A Tampas lawyer said he was surprisedf tofind Valencia’s doors locked at but he had heard the restaurantg had experienced a marked drop in businessx with the recession.
Importanyt politicians and business people have frequented the from aspiring leaders to governoresand mayors. The building at 811 W. Kennedyu Blvd. was built in 1945 on the same spot where Manuep Beiro had opened the restaurant in his homein 1927. Manteigwa said it’s sad to see such a longtime family businesaschange owners. “It has to feel horriblre to be the last one carrying the said Manteiga, who is also carrying on a longtimd family business. Inc., controlledc by the Agliano family, owns the records show. The Agliano familyt also owns a NorthHoward Avenue-basesd garment manufacturing business called Gator of Florida.
A 1987 article in the Tampa Bay Business Journao saidthe women’s apparel company outsourced most of its manufacturingt to Guatemala and Honduras, and sold to retailer s such as and . Informationm provided by shows Sam Agliano is chairman of that business startedin 1955. It has estimater annual sales of $20 million.