The City of Savannah announced on May 13 that it will reopen a competitive bidding process for the former Olympia Café location inside the historic Thomas Gamble Building on River Street. The space, which is currently unoccupied due to ongoing renovations in the Gamble Building, became available after Olympia Café decided not to proceed with a new lease.
This development matters because the location is considered one of Savannah’s most sought-after commercial spaces, offering high visibility and a connection to the city’s riverfront experience. The upcoming solicitation will invite qualified businesses to submit proposals detailing their concept, experience, design vision, financial capacity, and operational approach.
Olympia Café had initially been selected as the highest-scoring proposer following a public re-solicitation in mid-2025. On Oct. 9, 2025, Savannah City Council awarded them the lease and authorized negotiations with the City Manager. However, Olympia Café later informed city officials that it would not move forward due to internal business reasons. “Olympia Café made this location into a cultural and culinary landmark in Savannah, creating decades of great memories for locals and visitors alike. We were excited to extend the Olympia Cafe lease, but we respect the decisions that the owners of Olympia Cafe have made regarding their business and their partnership. The City wishes everyone involved nothing but the best in their future endeavors,” said City Manager Jay Melder. “Even though we will all miss Olympia Cafe, we are looking forward to seeing what new business might be able to define the next generation of memories—and meals—at this prime location.”
Cristy Lawrence, Senior Director of Real Estate & Capital Projects at Savannah said: “This process is designed to be fair, transparent, and competitive. Our goal is to find a tenant whose concept complements River Street, honors the significance of the location, and serves both residents and visitors.”
The city operates under a City Manager as its chief executive officer who oversees financial operations such as budget preparation; it manages an annual budget of $425 million with approximately 2,400 employees according to the official site. Additionally,the government operations page notes that maintaining vibrant neighborhoods through public space maintenance remains central for fostering community life.
The new solicitation for proposals is expected within months as city officials seek a tenant who can contribute positively both economically and culturally.
