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Politics & Government

Office Depot Closes McKnight Road Store after Company Review

It's the second major McKnight Road business to close in a month.

Another major retailer is closing its doors on McKnight Road in Ross Township. The Office Depot at 7377 McKnight, in Ross Town Center, will close Saturday. 

"The decision to close the store is part of the ongoing review of the company’s real estate portfolio," according to Mindy Kramer, senior director of communications for Office Depot.

“One result of this evaluation process is that we may close stores every so often as part of the normal course of business and that is the situation with this store," she said. 

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The decision effects 19 employees. 

"We are doing everything we can to help our associates by providing eligible associates with a severance package including outplacement services and other company subsidized benefits," Kramer said in an email. "We also work to place them in other positions within the company whenever possible." 

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On Sept. 1, In the past several years, more than a half-dozen retailers have left the McKnight Road corridor, including Border’s, Sam’s Club, McKrackin Ford, Freight Liquidators and Value City.

It’s a trend that troubles Ross Township Commissioner Peter A. Ferraro. 

“It’s been on my radar screen, along with Commissioner Gerald R. O’Brien, for well over a year now,” he said. “Every time one of these businesses closes, and is not replaced, the township loses revenue from the mercantile and business privilege taxes.” 

Ferraro said he has been meeting with the business community four times a year to discuss how to attract more retailers to Ross. Congressman Jason Altmire attended the most recent meeting and promised to support whatever initiative Ross developed, he said.  

Ferraro also said a committee, made of up representatives of the township, the North Hills School Board, , and the business community, has been formed to address the problem.

“Somehow, we have to do something to encourage people to come into Ross,” he said. 

The committee’s third meeting is at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at the at 135 Sixth Avenue.

The original version of this story was revised at 10:21 a.m. Wednesday to correct the date and time of the next committee meeting. It was also updated at 10:18 a.m. Monday, Oct. 3. 

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