Council Member Scott Singer goes on “offensive” to actively preserve jobs in Boca Raton
February 15, 2015 – WPTV: BOCA RATON, Fla. – The city of Boca Raton is fighting to keep one of its biggest employers in town.
Staples announced Wednesday it has a deal in place to buy Boca-based Office Depot. Neither company is releasing details on what it means for employees in south Palm Beach County.
The news leaves many of the roughly 2,000 people who work in the Office Depot headquarters wondering if they’ll lose their job, or have to move.
Those possibilities have nearby business owners worried. Brian Bruk sees Office Depot employees in his lunch line at VooDoo BBQ and Grill everyday.
“We have regulars who come in from Office Depot three to four times a week,” Bruk said.
His restaurant is a few blocks north of Office Depot’s Boca Raton headquarters at Clint Moore Road and Military Trail. The thought of losing 2,000 potential customers is scary.
“It’s a lot of money. It’s a lot of money we could potentially lose; the whole plaza, the whole city of Boca. It’s very concerning,” Bruk pointed out.
The general manager at TooJay’s Gourmet Restaurant and Deli next door is also worried.
She gives Office Depot employees a discount. The more who come through her door, the more money her restaurant makes.
“They have their own cafeteria, so giving them a 10% discount will get them here, instead of eating there,” Patria Peak explained.
Boca Raton Council Member Scott Singer reached out to the Staples CEO right away. Tweeting at him and leaving him a voicemail.
Singer wants to CEO to visit Boca Raton so he can show him the benefits of adding more jobs in Boca Raton, instead of to the Staples headquarters in Framingham, Massachusetts.
“We’ve got so much of an economic powerhouse, a wonderful job base, no state income tax, low taxes, the lowest taxes in Palm Beach County, a wonderful quality of life, and for those in Framingham, this February weather is normal for us,” Singer said.
The council member is encouraged to hear the Staples CEO announce publicly he’s interested in “maintaining a presence in Boca Raton.”
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