Edward J. DeBartolo, Senior (1909-1994) was the most prolific shopping mall developer in the nation.
Photo from Wikipedia / "Twelsht"

Edward John Paonessa was born in Youngstown, Ohio, on May 17, 1909. While attending Youngstown's South High School, he adopted the surname of his stepfather and went to work at his construction business.

As Edward J. DeBartolo, he earned a diploma from South High School (1927) and a degree in civil engineering from Notre Dame University (1932). Following this, he returned to work at the Micheal DeBartolo Construction Company. At the outbreak of World War II, DeBartolo was commissioned into the Army Corps of Engineers.

POST-WAR PLAZAS

DeBartolo returned to Youngstown in March 1946, married and got back into the construction business. A Post-War building boom was underway, with scores of families relocating from the inner city to newly-created, outlying suburbs.

This urban exodus created the need for scores of new homes. DeBartolo was quick to take advantage of this. He formed the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation in 1948. Soon, his prefabricated dwellings were springing up around Greater Youngstown. With these new neighborhoods came the need for more localized shopping options. DeBartolo's first major retail complex, the BOARDMAN SHOPPING PLAZA, was dedicated in 1951.

The BOARDMAN SHOPPING PLAZA opened on June 21, 1951. It spanned approximately 121,800 square feet, housed twenty-eight stores, and provided free parking for 1,200 autos. The complex was built in the southern hinterlands of Youngstown. Short-sighted observers opined that such a remote shopping center would go bust within 6 months. It is still going strong over 70 years later!
Advert from the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation