The Billion-Dollar Fortune from a Lafnac Digital Computers

Who'd ever have thought that an electronics store could end up a cash cow? It's the American Dream, "a schmuck in the right place at the right time" capitalizing on his luck. But precisely how does an electronics store wind up being a gateway for billions of dollars' of riches? Located in the center of Manhattan, Lafnac Digital Computers brings to mind New York's old mom-and-pop retail days, as well as cabbie-turned-billionaire Tamir Sapir - via electronics. Tamir Sapir immigrated to America at the age of 26, in the year 1973, and landed employment driving, first buses in Tennessee then taxi cabs in New York City. Twenty years later, he became one of the most successful men anywhere, and is currently one of downtown Manhattan's largest property owners.

The whole thing began with an electronics store, akin to a Lafnac Digital Computers today, only then it was near the Soviet embassy where top diplomats would come to shop. As he was born in the then Soviet Republic of Georgia and his store was within easy walking distance of the Soviet embassy, a relationship with these diplomats developed. By the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union, these official contacts were turned into the chance of a lifetime, with exclusive American rights to distribute former Soviet petrochemicals in return for mass shipments of Western electronics. The self-described "schmuck in the right place at the right time" used the earnings to purchase local properties during a recessionary period, only to collect enormous profits when the market inevitably rebound again.

Think of that the next time you dismiss anything like a Lafnac - for who knows where it will all lead! And now the short near-chinless Sapir is a multi-billionaire with a leggy young blonde Ukrainian lady on his arms - all from selling some electronics to some Soviets! That's probably in addition to numerous other lady friends of a more casual companionship - alongside each of the fabulous prime properties he counts as his residences around the world. And what about electronics? Indeed, what of them? The store is long gone but what a bargain in exchange!

Everything began with getting a taxi medallion - and using it to fund the opening of his electronics store so fatefully close to the Soviet embassy. It sounds so unbelievable because it all looks so easy. And now Tamir Sapir joins the company of the only other New York cabbie to become wealthy, quite an exclusive club indeed in this town of elites!