With its 19th century style, with its old-fashioned charms, the Florida is an emblematic establishment on the Place du Capitole. Since 2005, it has been taken over by the Azap brothers who have made it an open and welcoming place in the great oriental tradition.
Spread the word ! At almost 140 years old, the Florida is not for sale. Murat Azap brushes off the hypothesis with a big smile. And the rumors circulating in Toulouse real estate circles, evaluation at 8 million euros included, leave him unmoved.
Since he took over the café-brasserie des Arcades with his brother Clément, at the beginning of 2005, he has never ceased to cultivate here, in the heart of the Place du Capitole, the historic cachet of the place and the tradition of the welcome that we cultivate in Turkey. “We are a family business, insists Murat Azap, and we are very keen on conviviality. Our establishment is an open place, committed to value for money”.
A commendable concern that allows for example to sustain yourself with a dish of the day at 10 euros. Olivier Rungis, the chef who works in the kitchen also knows how to make the plates sing. In any case, the regular clientele asks for more. Difficult to keep Murat Azap at the table. Lunch is often lost in fraternal greetings with passing customers. Success is on the way. “By dint of work”, he slips.
Murat Azap is very proud to have imposed his style on the terrace. “All the Arcades bars have adopted our parasols. It’s more harmonious than the bric-a-brac before and there’s more space”. The reopening of Bibent and the arrival of the brasserie Les Ténors, just a stone’s throw away, do not worry him. On the contrary. “It’s very good, it brought people back to the Capitol and created a new dynamic with a little more diversity. it moves and it’s good for business. Besides, our attendance has increased”. Benefits of competition, therefore. Barely does Murat Azap mention the issue of security. “Le Capitole must remain a place for quiet walks, without aggressiveness. I hope that the square will continue to come alive”.
In fact, he admits some concern about the future of the Castéla bookstore. “I hope it won’t be a bank, but a living place”. In phase with the pedestrianization of the city center, promise, according to him, of a new breath. “Thanks to the town hall, we can work well on the entertainment. It’s teamwork with traders that will change the face of the market”.
In the meantime, it is the “lounge” floor of the Florida that has evolved. We sometimes forget this space nestled above the restaurant, which is accessed by a delicious wooden staircase. “Le Roof” has just been completely dressed in African fashion, in earth and wood tones conducive to whispered discussions. “A cozy and warm place for an aperitif or languidly stretching evenings. Here, the carriage does not pass until two o’clock in the morning… The Florida still has a long way to go.
“We are a family business, and we value our conviviality very much”
His hour of glory
First run by a chocolatier before becoming Café Durand, Le Florida was highly politicized in the 20th century. It was then frequented by Spanish refugees before becoming a privileged landmark for students in the 1970s… Today it attracts a heterogeneous clientele of all styles and all generations. A success that partly resides in the “Belle Epoque” atmosphere that the Florida has managed to preserve: swinging staircase and lead-painted mirrors by Louis Bordieu in 1874, the date the café was created.