VENICE OFFICE DEPOT ALMOST READY; THE COMPANY PLANS TO OPEN 57 STORES IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA IN DECEMBER, BRINGING THE YEAR'S TOTAL TO 100.(BUSINESS)

Byline: Margaret Ann Miille STAFF WRITER

Office Depot employees are hust-ling to open their Venice superstore Monday in what will be a banner month of new company stores launched in North America.

Store Manager Roland Doughty said about 40 workers are unpacking and stocking $1.8 million in merchandise, ranging from basic office supplies and business machines to furniture, computers and software.

"We are doing all we can to make that opening date," he said. "We are right on schedule; we should hit the mark with no problem whatsoever."

The 31,000-square-foot store is in the former Winn-Dixie, which vacated Venetian Plaza in May 1994. Office …