Purdy Post Office progress continues
Facility could open Oct. 1
September 25, 2019
Charlea Estes-Jones
It appears the return of the Purdy Post Office is just around the corner, according to postmaster AJ Johnson. The anticipated date for the new facility will be operational in early October.
The original post office was closed approximately two and a half years ago due to OSHA safety issues, according to an interview with Johnson in January. At that time, the original anticipated opening date for the new facility was in April or May of this year.
The new location is across the street from where the old location was. The new building, which is being leased, is at 100 Washington in Purdy. Once the lease was signed, a contracting company was hired to make changes to the facility to make it better suited for the needs of the United States Postal Service.
When the post office closed before, mail for Purdy routes was sent to Pierce City to be sorted and sent out with carriers. Once the transition to the new building is complete, mail will be sent from the local post office once again. The building will also have post office boxes for customers.
In January, Johnson said there would be more post office boxes than are currently available.
Last week, an update on the Purdy Post Office Facebook page indicated progress made at the local facility. Johnson stated equipment was being moved in, and once the mail carriers are moved to the Purdy office, the American flag will be raised outside to indicate the transition is complete.
At that point, the post office boxes will also be moved inside and customers will need to get new keys for their boxes. Packages and mail items will be picked up in Purdy, as well.
Johnson said that customers with post office boxes can ring the bell during normal business hours to get their new keys even though the retail window won't be open yet.
Johnson said the retail window might not be open for a few weeks after the carrier switch is made. He said, "It'll still be at least three weeks before we will be selling stamps and stuff like that."
When the post office opens, hours of operation should remain the same as they were at the previous location, which is Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Charlea Estes-Jones
It appears the return of the Purdy Post Office is just around the corner, according to postmaster AJ Johnson. The anticipated date for the new facility will be operational in early October.
The original post office was closed approximately two and a half years ago due to OSHA safety issues, according to an interview with Johnson in January. At that time, the original anticipated opening date for the new facility was in April or May of this year.
The new location is across the street from where the old location was. The new building, which is being leased, is at 100 Washington in Purdy. Once the lease was signed, a contracting company was hired to make changes to the facility to make it better suited for the needs of the United States Postal Service.
When the post office closed before, mail for Purdy routes was sent to Pierce City to be sorted and sent out with carriers. Once the transition to the new building is complete, mail will be sent from the local post office once again. The building will also have post office boxes for customers.
In January, Johnson said there would be more post office boxes than are currently available.
Last week, an update on the Purdy Post Office Facebook page indicated progress made at the local facility. Johnson stated equipment was being moved in, and once the mail carriers are moved to the Purdy office, the American flag will be raised outside to indicate the transition is complete.
At that point, the post office boxes will also be moved inside and customers will need to get new keys for their boxes. Packages and mail items will be picked up in Purdy, as well.
Johnson said that customers with post office boxes can ring the bell during normal business hours to get their new keys even though the retail window won't be open yet.
Johnson said the retail window might not be open for a few weeks after the carrier switch is made. He said, "It'll still be at least three weeks before we will be selling stamps and stuff like that."
When the post office opens, hours of operation should remain the same as they were at the previous location, which is Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
