By Alex Akel

The United States Postal Service (USPS) store at 837 Clement St. had its last day of operations on June 18. For the past 17 years, this postal location has served the Richmond District.

The scene at the last day of operations was bittersweet, with everyday packages going out, but also the mood of sadness for some of the customers, who were bringing in their final packages and gifts for the long-serving employees.

“This is like a magic post office,” said Pat, a longtime customer of the 837 store, a resident of Nob Hill who delivered her last package at the location to France. “It is the most efficient post office I’ve ever been in.”

USPS put out the following statement online about the closure as a Google Business reply:

“Thank you for all your support over the last 17 years. Unfortunately, we are closing due (to a) lot (of]) reasons beyond our control. We’ve loved being part of the wonderful Richmond community. It’s been an amazing experience serving you all.”

The location at Clement Street is a Contract Postal Unit (CPU), a postal service under the contract of USPS operated by non-USPS employees. CPUs are private businesses that are under contract with USPS to provide customers with postal products and mailing services to the public. Either party within the contract can terminate within 120 days’ notice. According to SF USPS Strategic Communications Specialist Kristina Uppal, USPS chose to terminate the contract to directly serve the community and serve the community through USPS-operated, and not privately owned retail facilities.

“In the case of the CPU located at 837 Clement St., San Francisco, USPS determined that nearby post offices are available to serve the community,” Uppal said.

Closures like these have been happening all over the country, with reports out of news outlets in Arizona, Illinois, Ohio and many other states according to Newsweek.

The official explanation USPS has given to these closures around the country is that closing CPUs “ better enables us to fulfill our commitment to serve our communities with efficient and reliable access to retail services.”

For many older people, the CPU was a fast alternative to the larger post offices.

“So many old people need convenience. At other post offices, they need to wait half an hour,” said Hetti, a store worker who has been working at the store for nearly two decades.

“I’m devastated,” Pat said. “It’s just very upsetting.”

Right now, the 837 Clement St. site remains quiet. Down the street, the 3245 Geary Station has picked up where it left off. Yet for customers like Pat, it is not the same.