'Dairy & Energy Stop' Starts In-Store Postal Services

Ship, Sip, Gas and Get Going In One Trip

Danbury —October is National Stamp Collecting Month.

Now in Danbury, you can expand your collection at the Dairy & Energy Stop, the community's newest contract post office. 

The Dairy & Energy Stop officially cuts the ribbon on Wednesday, October 1 at 11 am.   Danbury Postmaster Phil Gioia hosts the opening ceremony. 

“An early morning stop for coffee and gas now can include shipping a package or picking up stamps," Mr. Gioia said.  "Adding mailing services to the Dairy & Energy Stop fits the schedules and lifestyle of our customers.  One less trip during a busy day is that much better."

Located at 133 Padanaram Road, the postal hours at the Dairy & Energy Stop will be Monday through Saturday, from 7 am to 8 pm and Sundays from 8 am to 5 pm.  Employees of the Dairy & Energy Stop oversee all mailing operations.

A full line of postal products and services are available at the Dairy & Energy Stop including postage stamps, Express Mail service, Priority Mail service, Insured or Certified mailings, and packaging products.

“Customers recognize postal services in our contract locations,” said Postmaster Gioia. “It looks like a Post Office because, to our customers, it is a Post Office.” 

The Dairy & Energy Stop becomes Danbury's third contracted postal site. There are now 25 Contract Postal Units in the state.

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

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. 

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.