Before NBC's "The Office" hit the airwaves years ago, tourism to Scranton, PA was not one of the city's strengths. But that appears to be changing, as real businesses cited in the show, such as Poor Richard's Pub and Cooper's Seafood House, have drawn significant interest from travelers.
"Every one of us has talked to someone who's come to town and tried to find these places," Tim Holmes, regional director of marketing for Times-Shamrock Communications and one of the planners of 2007's "The Office" Convention, told the Citizens Voice.
To capitalize on such fandom, "The Office" Convention Committee is working with the Lackawanna County Convention and Visitors Bureau to begin the first-ever "Office" Fan Tours.
Four-hour tours will run every Saturday through August 29 and will feature stops at the Mall at Steamtown, Lake Scranton, Courthouse Square and Adams Avenue (where several "Office"-related businesses are located, including Farley's, the Bog and Paper Magic, the real-life inspiration for Dunder Mifflin), and the Penn Paper Supply Co. that appears in the show's opening credits. In addition to visits to other noticeable spots, the tour will provide "Dwight-approved" beet salads at lunch, lead trivia sessions, and educate travelers on the true history and culture of Scranton.
Tickets are available at www.theofficeconvention.com.