Xerox move set to boost Webster economy, business owners say

WEBSTER, N.Y. (WHAM) - While Xerox's decision to shift its employees from downtown to Webster may not be great news for Rochester, business owners in Webster say they're preparing for a spike in their bottom lines.

"It’s sad that another group of people are moving out of the city," said Eugene Giordano, owner of Sweet Wood Barbecue in Webster. But he admits he's happy with the news that hundreds of Xerox workers will now work at the Webster campus.

"It's going to bring a lot ... into the area, especially during business hours, and they'll get more lunch, hopefully," said Giordano, whose business is located a mile southwest of the campus.

Giordano says he worked with Xerox for 17 years and spent time working in both the Xerox Square and Webster Campus. But he says he quit the corporate world in 2012 to start his restaurant.

That's allowed him to see how Xerox impacts local business.

"It's a huge impact, economically it's real important that Xerox be here," said Giordano.

Across the street from Giordano sits Barry's Old School Irish, a pub located at the intersection of North Avenue and Ridge Road.

Barry says Xerox workers have been customers in his bar since the day he opened for business.

"I think our first customers were from Xerox," said Barry.

"Lunchtime is filled with Xerox workers and I think sometimes before they head home, they stop into the pub before heading there."

Like Giordano, Barry is expecting a boost in business as more Xerox employees become based out of Webster.

But both business owners say more people in the area isn't just good for them, but for every other business around.

"The more people we can get in the village, the better we are," said Giordano. "If there's something to attract more people in the village, they see other places, they stop other places."

Webster Town Supervisor Ron Nesbitt says the company told him it would be moving about 500 employees to Webster. But Xerox did say it expects more of its employees to be working from home as the transition goes through.