William M. Cafaro
Encyclopedia
William M. Cafaro was an American pioneer in mall development who founded the Cafaro Company
, one of the nation's largest commercial real estate developers.
, to Anthony and Flora Diana Cafaro. He grew up in the Hazelton
district of the city's east side and attended East High School
. He later attended Hall's Business College.
As a youth, Cafaro worked as a pinsetter at a local bowling alley and maintained a paper route in the city's downtown district. At the age of 17, he took a job at a local Republic Steel
plant and rose to the position of shift foreman. Meanwhile, Cafaro and his brother, John, owned and operated a popular east side establishment known as the Ritz Bar & Supper Club, which drew top entertainers.
. In the 1950s, he developed supermarkets in Barberton
and Akron
. His first major undertaking was the development of a large strip mall in Sharon, Pennsylvania
. Over the next few decades, the Cafaro Company developed more than 70 commercial properties. These included shopping centers, open malls, and enclosed regional shopping malls.
In the late 1960s, Cafaro established the Eastwood Mall
, in Niles, Ohio
, one of the country's first "super regional" enclosed shopping centers. As his obituary notes, "That and other projects nationwide each exceeded 1000000 square feet (92,903 m²) of retail tenant space under one roof and were considerable engineering feats at the time".
. In the 1960s, he lobbied Ohio state officials to designate YSU as a state university. In addition, he served for years on the board of the YSU Education Foundation, where he was instrumental in the establishment of Cafaro House, a residential honors facility for outstanding students.
Cafaro died at the offices of the Cafaro Company on May 22, 1998. Funeral services were held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Church in Youngstown.
made Cafaro a Knight of the Order of the Italian Solidarity. In 1996, he received a lifetime achievement award from the National Italian American Foundation, in Washington, D. C.
Cafaro Company
Cafaro Company is an American company which owns several retail shopping centers throughout the United States. Based in Youngstown, Ohio, it is the largest privately owned shopping center development and management company in the United States....
, one of the nation's largest commercial real estate developers.
Early years
Cafaro was born in Youngstown, OhioYoungstown, Ohio
Youngstown is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Mahoning County; it also extends into Trumbull County. The municipality is situated on the Mahoning River, approximately southeast of Cleveland and northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
, to Anthony and Flora Diana Cafaro. He grew up in the Hazelton
Hazelton (Youngstown, Ohio)
Hazelton is a neighborhood in Youngstown, Ohio, that is located on the city's east side. It is bordered by the cities of Struthers and Campbell. In the early 20th century, the district was alternately referred to as "the East End"....
district of the city's east side and attended East High School
East High School (Youngstown, Ohio)
East High School is a public high school in the city of Youngstown, Ohio, United States. It had its first school year in fall 2007 since 1998, when a previous incarnation of the school closed. The original school was open from 1925 to 1998 when it was converted to a middle school and closed...
. He later attended Hall's Business College.
As a youth, Cafaro worked as a pinsetter at a local bowling alley and maintained a paper route in the city's downtown district. At the age of 17, he took a job at a local Republic Steel
Republic Steel
Republic Steel was once the third largest steel producer in the United States.The Republic Iron and Steel Company was founded in Youngstown, Ohio in 1899....
plant and rose to the position of shift foreman. Meanwhile, Cafaro and his brother, John, owned and operated a popular east side establishment known as the Ritz Bar & Supper Club, which drew top entertainers.
Career
His real estate career began in the 1940s, when he began to buy and sell properties on Youngstown's north side. Cafaro used the proceeds from these sales to purchase a car dealership in Warren, OhioWarren, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 46,832 people, 19,288 households and 12,035 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,912.4 people per square mile . There were 21,279 housing units at an average density of 1,322.9 per square mile...
. In the 1950s, he developed supermarkets in Barberton
Barberton, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 27,899 people, 11,523 households, and 7,443 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,095.2 people per square mile . There were 12,163 housing units at an average density of 1,349.4 per square mile...
and Akron
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
. His first major undertaking was the development of a large strip mall in Sharon, Pennsylvania
Sharon, Pennsylvania
Sharon is a city in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, in the United States, northwest of Pittsburgh. It is part of the Youngstown–Warren–Boardman, OH-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
. Over the next few decades, the Cafaro Company developed more than 70 commercial properties. These included shopping centers, open malls, and enclosed regional shopping malls.
In the late 1960s, Cafaro established the Eastwood Mall
Eastwood Mall (Niles)
The Eastwood Mall is an indoor shopping center located in Niles, Ohio, USA, serving the Youngstown-Warren area. It contains over 200 stores and restaurants....
, in Niles, Ohio
Niles, Ohio
Niles is a city in Trumbull County, Ohio, United States. The city's population was 20,932 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, one of the country's first "super regional" enclosed shopping centers. As his obituary notes, "That and other projects nationwide each exceeded 1000000 square feet (92,903 m²) of retail tenant space under one roof and were considerable engineering feats at the time".
Civic activities and later years
Cafaro was closely associated with the development of Youngstown State UniversityYoungstown State University
Youngstown State University, founded in 1908, is an urban research university located in Youngstown, Ohio, United States. As of fall 2010, there were 15,194 students and a student-faculty ratio of 19:1. It is recognized as being one of the premier schools in the country, comparable to Ivy League...
. In the 1960s, he lobbied Ohio state officials to designate YSU as a state university. In addition, he served for years on the board of the YSU Education Foundation, where he was instrumental in the establishment of Cafaro House, a residential honors facility for outstanding students.
Cafaro died at the offices of the Cafaro Company on May 22, 1998. Funeral services were held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmelite Order. The first Carmelites were Christian hermits living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land during the late 12th and early to mid 13th centuries...
Church in Youngstown.
Honors
In 1970, the president of the Republic of ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
made Cafaro a Knight of the Order of the Italian Solidarity. In 1996, he received a lifetime achievement award from the National Italian American Foundation, in Washington, D. C.