One of O’Hara’s largest employers will vacate leased township office space as the lingering covid-19 pandemic impacts its corporate operations.
Giant Eagle will not renew its lease at 701 Alpha Drive, one of three office buildings it occupies in RIDC Park off Route 28.
The building sits on 8.2 acres and houses some of the 800 employees who work in the industrial park, Giant Eagle spokesman Dick Roberts said.
Many of the employees are working from home, Roberts said, and the company has opened smaller, additional offices in Lawrenceville and the Strip District.
“The majority of these team members will continue to support our stores and retail support centers by working remotely for the foreseeable future,” Roberts said.
It is unclear whether the move will erase the township’s status as the grocer’s corporate headquarters.
Township Manager Julie Jakubec was not immediately able to be reached for comment.
Giant Eagle operates 474 locations, including GetGo gas stations/convenience stores, across five states.
Each of its RIDC Park buildings has different lease terms and uses by the company.
Roberts did not release how many employees will continue to work at the remaining two sites but said there are advertising and IT employees that will remain.
Employees who need to use office space in Lawrenceville and the Strip District are required to reserve dates for use, Roberts said.
Social distancing and sanitization are in place to ensure that work can be performed safely, he said.
“This office space, combined with the success we continue to see with our corporate team members working remotely, gave us the confidence that our office at 701 Alpha Drive was no longer needed,” Roberts said.
