Bigger Dreams Help Cafasso's Fairway Market Achieve Success

For anyone not aware of , located at 1214 Anderson Ave., what you are missing out on is quality, freshness, service, loyalty and value. The market is quite impressive. After 80 years, their commitment is to provide the finest meats, seafood, fruits, vegetables, cheeses and chef-inspired and prepared dishes. And there is so much more.

Cafasso’s has continued for four generations, starting with the great grandfather, Umberto Cafasso, and his wife, Marianna (first generation), grandfather Charles Cafasso (second generation), David Cafasso, Sr. (father) and Robert Cafasso (uncle) (third generation) and presently Dave, Nick and Mike, (fourth generation).

And with generations come diversity.

“This is probably the best area in the country that you can find food to fit all different palates," Dave said when asked about the diverse population of Fort Lee. "We do stick to Italian-American heritage, but we do our best to cater to all cultures. Our products are plentiful and our specialty products, aside from Italy, come from Greece, Spain, Israel, the middle east...as you can tell, this small market packs a lot of diversity.”  

David added, "It’s all about creating smiles and a better community giving back, helping the surrounding area [and ] trying to help bring community into the future with positive interaction."

David, Robert, David Jr., Nicholas and Michel Cafasso donated their time handing out donuts, cookies and hot chocolate that their employees voluntarily served to those celebrating at Fort Lee's annual holiday tree lighting at the Fort Lee Community Center on Dec. 8. The tree was donated by Dave Jr. and Robert.
    
David also said the family has a strong love for  sports in the community, and they show it by regularly making donations to all youth sports, including both girls and boys teams.

“Our one love will always be youth football," he said. "My brothers and I grew up through the Jr. Bridgemen football program. We donate our time each year supporting the program by providing food for the raising of funds for the years to come. It’s only fair to give back.”

Seaking fluently about business, Dave said he and his brothers "eat sleep and breathe what we do."

"Leaving any rock unturned would be selling ourselves short," he said. "The business is very demanding, perishables need attention all the time. Every market has its own niche and feel to it. We try to make our business as eye popping as we can. We like to stand out on our own and be unique.”

The store employs about 50 people who Dave believes do their best to help our business flourish.

With the current state of the economy affecting nearly everyone, Dave said, it actually "sharpens our brains a little."

"It helps us connect with customers," he said. "It helps to reassure our margins, to stay on top of price and quality and to make sure we continue to deliver a good product. To 'wow' our customers is our goal. As part of our expertise, we continue to provide the best for our customers, and in turn, we also provide a vast catering menu to satisfy the needs of people who need our assistance.”

The Generations

It all started in 1919, when Umberto (Pop) Cafasso emigrated from Italy to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania. Going back to Italy in 1921 to bring  his wife and four children back, settling in Avis, Pa. It took until 1927 for Umberto and his family to realize there was a good future in North Bergen, NJ.

Pop Cafasso had a good friend in Staten Island that afforded him the opportunity to start a business with $200 for inventory. It was then that Umberto became a neighborhood peddler selling fruits and vegetables. Soon after, he was able to afford a used truck from which he sold his fruits and vegetables. At the same time, Maria (Mama) Cafasso tended the store they managed at 110 23rd St. in North Bergen, where she too sold fruits and vegetables.

After hard work along with plenty of motivation, Umberto stopped peddling and moved in with his wife at the store. The couple spent long hours in their mom and pop shop, beginning at 2 a.m. and closing at 10 p.m., (Umberto only took a 2-hour nap). It was during this time that the town changed the street numbers, and without moving, the new address became 1110 67th St., North Bergen. The market also sold groceries. It took until 1937 with the energy of Dave's grandfather, Charles, to add a meat department to the shop.

"My grandfather taught himself all he needed to know on how to be a butcher and this is where the business took a giant leap separating themselves from the small mom and pop store," he said.

When the ‘crash’ hit in 1929, Umberto was in good financial condition campared with many. He was able to purchase food markets going into bankruptcy during the depression, giving him a price advantage to compete. It was during these tough times that he "gave" necessities to others in need. People depended on him to give them credit to help carry them through.

During the war in 1941, with the second generation of Cafasso sons serving in the armed forces, Umberto built an even bigger store so that when they returned they would have a future.

It took until 1945-46 for the bigger store to be built, it was renamed Cafasso’s Self Service Market at 1152 67th St., North Bergen. Then in 1962, Umberto Cafasso moved the self service market to the present location in Fort Lee and renamed it Cafasso’s Fairway Market.

Under the leadership of grandfather Charlie and with the help of the family, the store underwent major expansions and renovations in 1962, 1974 and 1982, modernizing and expanding into the entire building that Umberto and Marianna owned. During these very competitive years the store increased its product line while maintaining its commitment to quality and customer service.

Charlie kept moving forward. He envisioned an even bigger future, when in 1990, he purchased an adjacent gas station. The property was used as a parking lot until 2002 when Dave Jr.'s uncle and father decided to undertake Fairway’s largest expansion. The project created a whole new look, both inside and out. The store was able to offer more fabulous foods and still maintain the charm of a neighborhood mom and pop store.

Presently, the brothers, Dave Jr., Nick and Mike, feel they have a lot to prove to their father and uncle.

"Inspiring to follow in their footsteps is not an easy feat, Dave said. "To go beyond what they have done, to always do better and move forward is what we do. Never feeling too complacent, as there is always room for improvement. Business is not easy and requires attention every day. Breaks are rarely taken. Sacrifices are individually made. All of us work together."

Cafasso Fairway Market has weekly specials. Call them at 201-224-7900.

They publish “Il Bollettino,” which they provide by email and is also available at www.cafassosfairwaymkt.com.