More Time to Mail on Main Street

Charles One Stop Gift Shop Delivers Seven Days of Postal Services

Danbury —It’s a skip and a hop to the Charles One Stop, where you can shop and ship or stamp and send, seven days a week. Maybe you can’t say it but you can do it, through the Postal Service’s latest Contract Postal Unit in Connecticut.  

The Charles One Stop Gift Shop celebrates its official ribbon cutting on Wednesday, August 6 at 11 am. Stephen Bull, President of the Greater Danbury, Danbury Chamber of Commerce and Patricia Hembrook, from Danbury CityCenter will join Postmaster Phil Gioia in that opening ceremony. 

Radio station WRKI/ESPN (Y105) will also broadcast from Charles One Stop Gift Shop as part of the opening day event.

Located at 159 Main Street in Danbury, Charles One Strop Gift Shop is operated by Carlos Lara.  Employees of the business oversee all mailing operations.

A full line of postal products and services are available at Charles One Strop Gift Shop including postage stamps, Express Mail service, Priority Mail service, Insured or Certified mailings, and packaging products.

The hours of operation provide convenient access Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Customers recognize the presence of postal services in our contract locations by the exterior and interior signs.   The retail counter is set up like a Post Office and the products displayed look like the Post Office,” says Danbury’s Postmaster Phil Gioia. “It looks like a Post Office because, to our customers, it is a Post Office.” 

By sharing space and resources, retailers and USPS are creating a "win-win" situation, he added.

For retail businesses, the postal contract often allows the owners to make use of underused space while providing an additional service that brings more customers into the facility.

The Postal Service reaches more customers, at more hours, while avoiding the costs of running a full-service post office. And neighborhoods gain service in familiar settings, said the Postmaster.

 “Many customers find the expanded evening and weekend hours to be a great help.  They will be able to combine trips at times that really make sense for their schedules, not ours,” Mr. Gioia said.  “The fact that Mr. Lara’s operation can assist Spanish-speaking customers is an additional benefit.  We are pleased to be partners in growing local business and in serving Danbury.”

The Postal Service’s Connecticut District serves more than 3.5 million postal customers over more than 5,000 square miles through 218 post offices and an additional 80 stations and branches.  There are now 24 Contract Postal Units in the state.

BACKGROUND:

What is a Contract Postal Unit?

A Contract Postal Unit is a Post Office that is located inside a retail establishment and operated by the retailer’s employees. CPUs provide postal services to remote, under-served, and seasonal locations where traditional post offices are not available or are over burdened.

A Contract Postal Unit can be supplier-owned or supplier-leased site operated by the supplier.  It is operated under contract to the Postal Service to provide postal services to the public.

What are the benefits of a Contract Postal Unit for customers? 

• Expanded access to postal products and services, at Postal Service prices
  
• Convenient additional locations
  
• Extended hours (weekends and evenings)

Do I pay extra if I buy stamps or mail a package?

A Contract Postal Unit sells postal services, such as stamps or postage for packages, at face value.  You do not pay a surcharge or extra fee for mailing services at a Contract Postal Unit.

Can I get a money order or Post Office Box at this site?

Newer contracts for Contract Postal Units do not permit post office boxes.  Postal money orders are not available; however, some contract sites do offer other money order services.

What are the benefits of a Contract Postal Unit for potential operators? 

• Customer traffic to generate additional sales
  
• Additional revenue source
  
• Additional customer service and satisfaction
  
• Competitive advantage

For information regarding Contract Postal Unit locations in Connecticut, contact your local postmaster or the Postal Service’s Connecticut District’s Retail Manager Janice White at (860) 524-6440.