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

Ship, Sip, Gas and Get Going In One Trip

Danbury —  Okay, you can't lick a stamp any more.  But you sure can't lick the convenience of  but you sure can To increase convenience and access to postal services, a new Contract Postal Unit (CPU) is opening at Billy’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream located at 742 Amity Road, Bethany, CT.  A grand-opening is scheduled for Friday, December 12th at 12:00pm.  A full line of postal products and services are available at the new CPU including postage stamps, Express Mail® service, Priority Mail® service, special services, packaging products, and much more!  The hours of operation provide convenient access for customers Monday through Friday 9:00am to 4:30pm and Saturday 9:00am to 10:00pm (11:30pm during the summer).

New Haven’s Postmaster Norm Lalonde stated that customers will easily recognize the presence of postal services at the new contract location by the exterior and interior signage, as well as the new retail counter configuration and product display.   The Postal Service™ has re-engineered the entire CPU program to better answer the needs of Postal Service customers nationwide.

For more information regarding CPU locations, please contact your local postmaster or Retail Manager Janice White at (860) 524-6440.

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.