By Steve Huffman
shuffman@salisburypost.com
The U.S. Postal Service is considering closing its downtown Salisbury post office.
On Wednesday, letters were placed in the boxes of all customers of the downtown office ó known as “Salisbury Downtown Finance Station” ó at 110 W. Innes St. The letters advised customers that the Postal Service is considering consolidating the smaller branch with Salisbury’s main office, located at 605 E. Innes St.
The letters also advised customers with an opinion on the matter to write.
“Nothing is certain,” said Monica Robbs, communications director for the Postal Service’s Mid-Carolinas District. “We take time to read each comment. We strongly encourage customers to give us their input.”
Robbs said that if customers would be adversely affected by the office’s closing, it would be best to spell that out in the letters. For instance, if having to retrieve mail from the main office is dependent upon the use of public transportation, postal officials are interested in having the situation explained.
“We’re bleeding,” Robbs said of problems the Postal Service as a whole is experiencing. “We’ve got to look for ways to fix things.”
The letter delivered to downtown post office customers says much the same.
“Current economic conditions require that we review all postal operations for opportunities to streamline processes and provide service more efficiently,” it reads. “Changes in consumer preference and recession-related declines in mail volume have reduced U.S. Postal Service revenues.”
The letter states that both retail and delivery operations would be affected if the downtown office closes. The move would not affect mailing addresses or result in additional costs for post office box rentals.
The distance to the main post office is less than a mile.
Randy Hemann, executive director of Downtown Salisbury Inc., said this marks the second time in two years that there has been talk of closing the downtown post office. He said that when the matter was raised in 2007, he received between 20 and 30 letters from individuals asking that the downtown office remain open.
Hemann said he would forward copies of those letters to postal officials.
“People use that post office,” Hemann said. “I can’t imagine them even considering this.”
He said the quaintness of the office is one of its appeals.
“Quite frankly, a lot of people drive to downtown rather than go to the main office,” Hemann said. “A lot of people prefer the downtown office.”
Deal Safrit, the owner of Literary Book Post on South Main Street, said closing the downtown post office would adversely affect many merchants. He said his business sells and distributes a number of books through the mail.
Taking an around-the-corner hike to the post office is a breeze, Safrit said. Having to get in a car and drive to the main office is a different matter.
“I can’t afford to let a staff member take an hour to go mail a package,” Safrit said. “That’ll be a real hardship for us.”
Besides, he said, the small post office offers the kind of friendly service not found in larger operations.
“It’s a downtown institution,” Safrit said.
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Interested in expressing your opinion concerning the possible closing of downtown Salisbury’s post office? Write by Sept. 23 to: Manager Operations Program Support, 2901 Scott Futrell Drive, Charlotte, NC 28228-9909.
A customer questionnaire is also available at Salisbury’s main post office at 605 E. Innes St.
Looking for an e-mail address for your letters? As one Postal Service official said: “Ain’t happening. That’s the reason we’re in the shape we’re in.”