Category: Uncategorized

Cafaro Names Esther Buschau as Chief Marketing Officer

Posted on | by Joe Bell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 11, 2026

 

CAFARO Appoints Esther Buschau as Chief Marketing Officer

NILES, Ohio – CAFARO, one of the nation’s largest privately held shopping center developers, today announced the appointment of Esther Buschau as the organization’s Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), effective immediately. The move underscores the company’s commitment to driving growth and innovation as it continues to strengthen its middle market dominance nationwide.

In her role as CMO, Buschau will lead the organization’s strategic marketing initiatives, including the enhancement of the legacy CAFARO brand. She will oversee the evolution of the firm’s marketing function to align brand strategy with the company’s vision, support business objectives across all markets, and elevate brand storytelling to attract new tenancy. Buschau will report to Co-Presidents William A. Cafaro and Anthony Cafaro, Jr.

“We’re excited to have Esther take on the role of Chief Marketing Officer. It’s an important step in advancing our brand development and driving growth across all sectors of our business,” said William A. Cafaro, Co-President of CAFARO. “Esther brings a thorough understanding of our corporate culture and family values, along with an intense passion for innovation, building relationships, and caring for our tenants and the communities we serve. Her leadership will help us unlock our full potential and accelerate our long-range growth ambitions.”

Buschau is a seasoned marketing leader with more than two decades of experience in the shopping center industry, spanning both the public and private sectors. A native of British Columbia, Canada, she joined CAFARO in November 2000 as a Regional Marketing Director. In February 2003, she was promoted to Director of Corporate Marketing, where she oversaw the portfolio’s field marketing efforts, campaign development, and B2B marketing. Prior to joining CAFARO, Buschau honed her field marketing experience with Brookfield, Grosvenor, and Royal LePage.

“For twenty-five years, I’ve had the privilege of driving transformative change and building relationships for CAFARO properties,” said Buschau. “I look forward to bringing focus to the brand strategy, supporting the leasing function, and exploring new marketing opportunities during this exciting time.”

 

About CAFARO

CAFARO, based in Niles, Ohio, is one of the nation’s largest privately held shopping center developers. Founded by the late William M. Cafaro in 1949, the firm is now in its eighth decade and third generation as a family-owned and managed business. Over the years, Cafaro-affiliated companies have developed, owned, and managed more than 50 million square feet of commercial real estate in 14 states. For more information about Cafaro, visit www.cafarocompany.com.

 

Media Contact: Joe Bell, Director of Corporate Communications Direct: 330.747.7688 jbell@cafarocompany.com

 

 

Cafaro puts the pedal to the metal in middle-market malls

Posted on | by Joe Bell

 

Cafaro puts the pedal to the metal on middle-market malls

Al Urbanski

10/3/2025  Chain Store Age

 

Cafaro aims to infuse Grand Central Mall with top-notch retail, restaurant, and entertainment brands.

 

A 76-year-old owner-operator of super-regional malls located in B and C markets such as Clarksville, Tenn.; Monroe, Mich.; Erie, Pa., and Puyallup, Wash., finds itself expanding during a period of paucity in quality retail real estate.

The Cafaro Company, whose headquarters reside in its 3.4 million-sq.-ft. Eastwood Mall Complex in Niles, Ohio, announced that it has acquired Grand Central Mall in Vienna, W.Va. The 908,000-sq.-ft. property, which opened in 1972 and houses 90-plus tenants, is the only enclosed mall within 35 miles of its region.

“We believe strongly in the viability of middle market shopping centers, a segment of the industry we have led for generations.” said Cafaro co-president Anthony Cafaro, Jr., whose grandfather William M. Cafaro and his brother founded the company in 1949.

Grand Central Mall draws more than five million unique visits annually, according to Cafaro. A recent redevelopment of a former Sears anchor made room for new tenants T.J.Maxx, HomeGoods, Ross Dress For Less, and PetSmart.

Other key tenants include Ulta, Old Navy, Five Below, and Panera which shadow-anchor the mall.

Cafaro is in the planning stages of a future mall-wide renovation aimed at creating a fresh and modern atmosphere for its patrons and retail partners.

“We will be infusing the necessary capital and expertise to attract best-in-class retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues to Grand Central Mall,” Cafaro said. “We are excited to incorporate this property and its vast trade area spanning two states into our portfolio of dominant fortress mall assets.”

Grand Central Mall and contiguous centers owned by The Cafaro Company occupy nearly 100 acres on the Ohio River in Vienna, W. Va. Cafaro reports that it is the only major shopping destination within a 70-mile radius.

Cafaro has proved fastidious in carving out precious mall anchor spaces and re-tenanting them with popular brands. It recently announced that 91,000 sq. ft. of empty anchor space at its Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville, Ohio, would soon be welcoming new tenants.

Academy Sports and Burlington will take up 78,000 sq. ft. of what used to be the Sears store at Ohio Valley, and Boot Barn will open in a 13,000-sq.-ft. space that used to be part of Macy’s.

 

Cafaro Acquires Grand Central Mall

Posted on | by Joe Bell

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

October 2, 2025

 

Contact:

 

Joe Bell

Director of Corporate Communications

Cafaro Company

jbell@cafarocompany.com

330-743-7688

724-730-4532 (Mobile)

 

Cafaro Remains Focused on Middle Markets

Acquires Grand Central Mall in West Virginia

 

One of the nation’s pre-eminent shopping center developers has expanded its property portfolio.  CAFARO is pleased to announce that it has acquired Grand Central Mall in Vienna/Parkersburg, West Virginia, from Washington Prime Group.  The acquisition was finalized on October 1, 2025.  The all-cash purchase price was not disclosed. This is the third Cafaro mall serving West Virginia, the others being Huntington Mall in Barboursville and Meadowbrook Mall in Bridgeport/Clarksburg.  Additionally, Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville, Ohio, serves the Wheeling, West Virginia market.

            “We believe strongly in the viability of middle market shopping centers – a segment of the industry we have led for generations.” said Cafaro Company Co-President Anthony Cafaro, Jr.  “Consistent with the balance of our portfolio, we will be infusing the necessary capital and expertise to attract best-in-class retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues to Grand Central Mall.  We are excited to incorporate Grand Central Mall and its vast trade area spanning two states into our portfolio of dominant fortress mall assets.”

In its fifth decade of operation, Grand Central Mall has consistently evolved its offerings and boasts over 5 million unique visits annually. Recent additions include the redevelopment of a former Sears anchor to accommodate retail stalwarts T.J.Maxx, HomeGoods, Ross Dress For Less, and PetSmart complemented by ULTA, Old Navy, Five Below, and Panera which shadow anchor the mall. Cafaro is in the planning stage of a future mall-wide renovation aimed at creating a more fresh, modern and functional atmosphere for its patrons and retail partners.

Grand Central Mall and contiguous centers and outparcels owned by Cafaro encompass nearly 1 million SF serving Vienna/Parkersburg, WV, and the surrounding region including, Marietta, Ohio.  The complex occupies nearly 100 acres on the Ohio River in the City of Vienna, and adjacent to the City of Parkersburg.  It is the only major shopping destination within a 70+ mile radius. The property offers a dynamic mix of more than 65 retailers, restaurants and other businesses.

 

About The Cafaro Company

CAFARO, based in Niles, Ohio, is one of the nation’s largest privately held shopping center developers. Founded by the late William M. Cafaro in 1949, the firm is now in its eighth decade and third generation as a family owned and managed business. Over the years, Cafaro-affiliated companies have developed, owned and managed more than 50 million square feet of commercial real estate in 14 states. With the purchase of Grand Central Mall, Cafaro will operate 13 enclosed malls, along with more than 40 open-air shopping centers, coast-to-coast.  For more information about Cafaro, visit online at www.cafarocompany.com.

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