William M. Cafaro
American businessman (1913-1998)
William M. Cafaro (May 23, 1913 – April 22, 1998) was an American pioneer in mall development who founded the Cafaro Company, one of the nation's largest commercial real estate developers.
Early years
Cafaro was born in Youngstown, Ohio, to Anthony and Flora Diana Cafaro. He grew up in the Hazelton neighborhood 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. 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.
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, Ohio. In the 1950s, he developed supermarkets in Barberton and Akron.
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