By now, most Scrantonians have embraced The Office, the hit television sitcom "mockumentary" centered on fictitious office supply company Dunder-Mifflin and set in their very real home of Scranton. At first, however, there was hesitation on all sides.
Scranton and most of Northeastern PA are often viewed as a hardscrabble area whose glory days of the mining industry are long past. City officials have always been sensitive to the label, and were initially wary of how the city and its residents would be portrayed. Mari Potis, Membership Director for the
Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, was one of the first connections the show’s producers made.
Originally, the producers asked her for a Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce membership plaque for the set, but after some discussion, the set decorator asked her for additional items from real Scranton businesses to add some authenticity. Eventually she was participating on production meetings via conference call and became an early cheerleader for the show. “It’s kind of funny to look back,” she says, recalling how she had to “sell” her boss, Austin Burke, and Scranton’s mayor Chris Doherty, that supporting The Office would serve the city well.
The show has resulted in many positives for the Electric City, including tours of Scranton, show merchandise with city tie-ins, and a full-fledged The Office Convention in 2007, and the hope is to continue to capitalize on the city's revitalized notoriety.
Scranton was chosen because Greg Daniels, the show’s executive producer, recalled receiving valentines that were printed by the now-defunct Paper Magic Group in Scranton. He and John Krasinski, the actor who plays the cynical Jim Halpert, went on a fact-finding mission to Scranton, and both felt that the city was a perfect fit for the type of show they were doing. Krasinski shot the now-famous footage for the opening credits that have immortalized the city’s Pennsylvania Paper and Supply Company tower and the “Scranton Welcomes You” sign that is currently displayed inside the
Mall at Steamtown.
The show has also helped Scranton’s businesses. Look closely at the Dunder Mifflin set and items from real Scranton
businesses, such as Crystal Club soda in the break room, menus from
Abe’s Delicatessen on the refrigerator, copies of the free weekly paper
The Weekender, and bumper stickers from local radio station Froggy 101,
are all prominently displayed.
“It’s kind of become an unofficial member benefit, the product placement on the show,” says Potis. “We get clearance from our members, and once a year we have a ‘prop drop’ where any of our members can drop off items that are sent to the show. We get a great turnout--everyone wants to try to be part of it. People love it.”
The Office cast has returned the favor and many have visited the city over the course of the show. Rainn Wilson, the actor who plays busybody second-in-command Dwight Schrute, made an appearance at Scranton’s Mall at Steamtown in 2006 that drew over 1,000 people. Cast member Brian Baumgartner also filmed a commercial with Mayor Chris Doherty in 2008.
“The show has had a tremendous positive impact,” the mayor says. “Our city is shown in a very favorable light. The residents love it, and the show’s ratings are the best in Scranton.” The mayor credits much of the city’s huge boost in tourism to
The Office Convention, a weekend-long event in October, 2007 that drew thousands of fans from across the country.
“The Today Show did the weather from the University of Scranton, and 27 major newspapers did travel pieces on Scranton,” says Doherty. “We’re appreciative of what we’ve gotten.”
Tracy Barone, executive director of the
Lackawanna County Visitors Bureau, was among those from the City and Times-Tribune newspaper who formed The Office Working Group and developed self-guided
tours of the city. The tours, which drew close to 1,000 people in their first year in 2009, run every Saturday from June to November and include many of the landmarks featured in the show, like Poor Richard’s Pub, Coopers Seafood House, Abe’s Delicatessan, and Lake Wallenpaupack.
“I’m glad they chose Scranton and not someplace else," says Barone.
Potis said that the city and the Chamber are doing all they can to keep the momentum going.
“A lot of businesses are now moving conventions, team-building events, and various other events to city because of the show,” she says. “For example, one couple is having an Office-themed wedding. We’re also holding a leadership convention for a major corporation in May, and will be bringing some talent from the show to present at a conference.
“It’s great for our area. We’ve been given a lot of
privilege, and we try to share it with the community as much as we
can.”
Sara Hodon is a freelance writer who lives,
works, and plays in Northeast PA. Learn more about her writing trials and
triumphs on her blog. Send feedback here.To
receive Keystone Edge free every week, click here.
Photos:
Mari Potis of the Scranton Chamber works closely with The Office staff to bring the an authentic feel to the show.
A scene from The Office was shot in the popular Whale Room at Cooper's Seafood in Scranton.
A replica of Poor Richards Pub has been built on the set of The Office.
A vacant storefront at the Mall at Steamtown serves as the "Scranton Branch" of fictitious Dunder-Mifflin with cutouts of the cast of The Office.
The Scranton Welcome sign has been moved into the Mall at Steamtown where visitors and fans of The Office come to have their photo's taken. The sign is in the opening of each episode of the television show.
All photographs by Aimee Dilger