The deal is off and Office Depot is staying in Boca Raton.
The federal government blocked a merger between Office Depot and Staples. It means 2,000 employees at Office Depot’s Boca Raton’s headquarters will stay there.
The news has business owners in nearby shopping plazas smiling.
Part of what makes lunch so busy at Manhattan Joe's Pizzeria is the location. The Office Depot global headquarters is right around the corner.
Today, employees placed a big order and delivered even bigger news: they're staying in Boca.
“About 20 pies went over there today, I think they're happy, that's my opinion,” said Joe Chiapetta. “We're happy they're staying, as well.”
Last year Staples and Office Depot agreed to a $6 billion merger. Staples was planning to relocate Office Depot employees to its headquarters in Massachusetts.
Tuesday, a judge granted the Federal Trade Commission's request to block the merger saying it would reduce the competition in the office supplies market.
“For us it's a great thing, they're local to us and staying in Boca. So we're happy to have it, we're happy it got blocked,” said Kris Kohler, the assistant manager at Offerdahl’s Cafe and Grill.
Kohler estimated about 15 percent of his business comes from Office Depot employees and catering reservations.
An Office Depot spokesperson says the company won't share specifics of its future plans until May 16.
Mayor Susan Haynie said she's working to make sure those plans include a strong presence in Boca Raton.
“We have all the ingredients for them to be a corporate success and we will certainly work with them to see that happens,” Haynie said.
The mayor and a team from city hall will meet with Office Depot next week.
