As much as we all love the Internet and email we have a treasure in our community that is suffering because of them — our Maplewood Post Office. You would have to live under a rock not to have heard that post offices are in trouble financially everywhere.
Competitors such as FedEx and UPS have taken much of their most lucrative business, parcel delivery. The next time you consider using one of them you might take a moment to think about what effect you will be having on our local post office. At least compare the rates. If the figure is close, use the Maplewood Post Office.
Our post office is an historic building full of friendly people. Don’t believe me? Check it out. It is loaded with interesting and important historic details. Any changes or improvements to the building have been handled with sensitivity and enhance the original.
The stamps are works of art and worth perusal. You’ll never get any of those from FedEx and UPS. And by the way I’ve never seen a building belonging to either of them anywhere that is as much a part of a community as our post office is of ours.
It’s simple. Unless we use it, we’ll lose it.
Remember when the federal government actually did things that improved towns and our everyday lives? Could our current government even build something like this anymore? Or even start something as grandiose as a federally funded, national mail service?
I really enjoyed reading this article and everyone’s comments.
Thanks, Brenna. I’ve enjoyed everyone’s comments as well. This December will be the 40th anniversary of my move to Maplewood. I’ve used the Maplewood Post Office the whole time. No doubt more in the past than at present. I don’t write letters anymore but when I send a package our post office is my first choice. Recently I sold my first two items ever on eBay. When it came to shipping them I was delighted to find that all I had to do was pay online and print out the label. They accepted the packages at our post office with no questions asked. It couldn’t have been easier. We are extremely fortunate to have our post office still operating as such out of their 1940 mid-century modern building. On a recent visit I was delighted again when one of the beautiful ladies working there called me “Sugar”.
THANK YOU for this post. The entire USPS is in jeopardy, and Maplewood’s PO, as a small one, is especially so. Over the years, I have called on the workers there for “above and beyond” service, and found them willing to be helpful and efficient, while maintaining personal connection and service at a level which, I agree has been lacking at a nearby PO. I regard the long-time workers there–and some which have retired or been transferred away–as friends who care–about me and about others they serve. Each worker is unique of course, and some city residents may have encountered “bad days”–but I strongly agree that our Maplewood Post Office is a treasure–artistically and historically–that we would do well to support and do all we can to preserve.
Is this article based on any reporting that this branch might close? I thought we had dodged that bullet.
I love the Maplewood P.O., too and I use it often. I find the clerks to be very helpful and friendly, much unlike those at another nearby post office that happens to be in the same school district. Little-known fact: the Maplewood Post Office also sells greeting cards — perfect for last-minute one-stop birthday card shopping.
I love the Maplewood Post Office!
In the four years I’ve been going there I’ve only had good experiences. Never waited for more than five minutes and always treated well.
As a former Maplewood resident, I love the building and the walkability of the location; however, it seems the employees there don’t really want to do their job. Whenever you get in line for something out of the ordinary (basic letter mailing or stamp purchases) they make you get out of line and send you to the table to fill out some form or another. When asking questions, they seem burdened by your presence. Overall, it’s easier to go to another branch.
I’ve had the opposite experience. Always 2 windows open and never a line more than 1 person deep. Service has always been good. Now, ask about delivery of the mail to my house in Maplewood and that’s a whole other story. I’ve been home to sign for a package and still not be able to get it because the delivery person had the “sorry we missed you” paper pre-filled out and never rang my door bell. And I probably get 5-6 pieces of mail for other addresses in my box a month (including bills, cards, and other important items).
The building is so cool, no doubt. Every time I go in there, however, the service is mediocre at best. The line is typically long and four times out of five there is only one window open. I suppose if I was retired and not in a hurry I would appreciate the romanticism of it, but I, like most of the patrons presumably, am usually pressed for time. The building could make a really cool restaurant……….just sayin’.