LEAWOOD, Kan. – A branch of the U.S Postal Service is on the chopping block. Officials at the Shawnee Mission Main post office propose closing it’s Leawood branch. However, they invited public input before making a decision.
For decades, the branch has served loyal customers.
“It’s the most convenient location for me,” said Judith, a customer for 11 years.
“My grocery store is nearby,” said Julie Johnson, another customer. “My bank is nearby. So, I save gasoline and miles.”
They consider the branch their post office and a part of their lives.
“If it closes, I have to change my whole life around just to come in and get stamps,” Judith said.
Thursday night, postal service officials met with Leawood customers to explain why the branch should close.
“The postal service lost nearly $3 billion last fiscal year and we’re on pace to lose nearly $6 billion this year,” said Richard Watkins, a spokesman for the USPS Mid-America Region.
With mail volume declining, the postmaster general wants to cut mail delivery to a five-day a week schedule. However, he needs congressional approval to do so.
Officials at the Shawnee Mission Main Post office don’t need such approval to close the Leawood branch.
So until Congress acts, you could see branches around the metro close.
“There’s a good chance of that,” Watkins said. “How frequently, we just can’t tell at this point.”
Leawood customers understand.
“It’ll be an inconvenience getting used to going somewhere else,” said Debby Manning, a customer. “But, you know, like everyone else, I’ll make do.”
At the same time, people like Judith and Julie Johnson are not happy.
“Well, definitely, I’ll be sad because I’ve lived right here in the neighborhood 40 years,” Johnson said. “So, you know, it’s just part of my life.”
Officials would like to consolidate the Leawood branch with the Indian Creek Branch, which is near 107th and Roe. All Leawood branch employees will get offers for other positions with the postal service, Watkins said.
