Staples has opened its first location in the City of Pittsburgh. Located at 6375 Penn Ave. in The Village of East Side, the 22,000 square-foot office supply store celebrates its grand opening on May 19th.
“
Trader Joe’s and Staples are just the beginning. We have a lot more in line. We’re thrilled to death. It’s not a sexy use of the space but people are so excited,” says developer Lori Moran, who is working to bring additional retail and offices to the site. “There's a lot of excitement about this location. We keep hearing people say that it’s close to home," adds manager David Stevens, who says the store’s twenty employees are from Pittsburgh.
Rob Stephany, director of commercial development with
East Liberty Development, Inc., worked with Moran on the Staples deal as part of a community master plan. “Anyone who owns a business remotely in the East End is at a fever pitch, to be able to get simple staple items in one place,” Stephany says. He notes that both
Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s hired additional people after business took off, so he would not be surprised to see Staples add employees. “For me personally, it’s exceptional. As it relates to the networks, everyone is relieved that they can finally spend their dollars down the street. It adds value and lifts the whole armada of ships.”
During a May 11th ribbon-shredding event, Staples presented a $1,500 donation to the
Beginning with Books Center for Early Literacy. Founded in 1986, Staples operates 1,884 stores worldwide and employs more than 74,000 people. In 2006, its sales reached $18.2 billion.
Writer:
Jennifer BaronSources: Lori Moran, Ballymoney & Company, Inc.; Rob Stephany, ELDI; David Stevens, Staples