Community Corner
Customers Shocked by Closure of Silver Spring Post Office
Customers at the USPS Office on Second Avenue aren't happy about the news of the closing of the location later this year.
The news of the closing of the shocked customers Tuesday as they were underwhelmed by alternative options.
“I think that is awful,” said Sherry Swain, who visits the office once a month and has lived in Silver Spring for 30 years. “This is convenient for us who live in Woodside Park,” said Swain.
Despite an official USPS press release explaining their location is under review, officials confirm the location is closing and relocating.
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The other USPS location in downtown Silver Spring at 8455 Colesville Road a few blocks away from the closing location, but customers said the amount of traffic at the other location makes it too difficult to park.
“I’ll miss it. There is no parking at the other one,” said Walt Meyer, who has lived in Silver Spring all his life. He added that he will now be in search of another location.
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While other customers will miss the convenience of the Second Ave location, others already take advantage of online mailing services. Kimberly Hernandez, who works at Cameron Medical Group in Silver Spring, said her company purchases items online before visiting the office.
“My manager buys stamps online and then she gives the mail to me to bring here,” said Hernandez. “But I guess I’ll be going somewhere else now.
Sade Pyne, another USPS customer and Silver Spring resident, said she submitted a Change of Address form as well as completed other services online. Yet she will still miss the Second Avenue location that she visits once every two months because of the face to face interaction.
“I like going in to make sure I get the proper assistance because I don’t want to make a mistake online,” said Pyne.
Employees of the office said customers will still find the same type of help when the office relocates to another downtown location within the year.
“Change is good because we’re the main location and they’ll find another place within downtown Silver Spring,” said Paulita Scott, who has worked with USPS for 20 years.
Another location has not yet been decided, and neither has the guarantee that all the employees will have jobs at the new place. Scott said the fleet of mail clerks, carriers, and maintenance workers may have to enter a bidding process for their jobs which will be based on seniority.
