Mobile payment startup Square to open permanent Canadian office

Square, the mobile payment company started by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, has signed a lease for a permanent Canadian office in Kitchener, Ont. 

Dorsey originally announced he would open the first Canadian Square office in Kitchener in September.

Lindsay Wiese, a spokesperson for the company, says the plan is to expand to over 30 employees.

"Kitchener-Waterloo has a thriving and talented tech community, so we're also excited to tap into that through recruiting," said Wiese. "We're also excited by how much more we can do to empower local sellers by establishing a Square office in Kitchener."

Retailers who use the payment system must download the Square Register app and use a card reader that plugs into the headphone jack of a smartphone or tablet. The system allows retailers to process credit card transactions anywhere they can get internet access. 

Stephen Kropf, the owner of Bark Avenue Pet Grooming & Boutique in Kitchener, uses Square regularly and says he's excited to hear the office is opening up.

"I think it's great, it's jobs for the community," said Kropf. "I like that you can track your sales and see what you're selling and what you're not selling." 

Square charges a 2.75 per cent fee per transaction, which is lower than traditional credit card fees, and payments are deposited the next day, making it an attractive alternative for small businesses. 

Square had opened a smaller temporary office in the Breithaupt Block in downtown Kitchener, but will move into a space at 305 King. St. W..

Craig Beattie, a partner with Perimeter Development, which manages the building, says Square is exactly the type of client he hoped to attract with the building on King Street. 

"I think what they'll bring to this mix is just another world class technology company that's on the upswing," said Beattie.

Square currently has over 800 employees around the world, with offices in San Francisco, New York, Atlanta and Tokyo.