Years ago, I remember my Grandfather talking about the good old days when the drugstore would get mail delivery twice a day, morning and afternoon. I asked my father if he remembered the two delivery days and he only recalled the single delivery we have today. I looked up the additional delivery and was amazed at how the mail service has changed. In 1873 (two years before Oswald’s opened) the Postal Laws and Regulations Book stated that carriers should make deliveries “as frequently as the public convenience may require.” For years, city business districts would receive three to seven deliveries daily and residential areas at least two. There was even Sunday delivery until 1912!
Parcel and Package History
On January 1st, 1913 the Post Office added Parcel Post Service, adding package delivery to the letters, magazines and newspapers already being delivered. As Parcel Post increased in popularity the postman began to be weighed down with an ever-increasing load.
After World War II, mail volume skyrocketed and the Postal Service had to decide on how to change with the times. On April 16th, 1950 the Postmaster General announced that residential delivery would be reduced to once a day, Monday through Saturday. Though some businesses in large cities would continue to receive multiple deliveries daily, that practice all but disappeared over the next decade.
Oswald’s Pharmacy Contract Post Office Unit
I bring up this little bit of postal history for a reason. As most of you know, Oswald’s has been a Contract Postal Unit of the United States Post Office for well over a decade. We supply a majority of the services that the Naperville Post office does, at the same price—excluding only a few things such as postal money orders and passport services. We always have a great selection of Forever stamps in stock, from the traditional flag stamp to just about every commemorative that is issued.
Believe it or not, the volume of mail we take in daily has increased every year. Even though people are mailing less letters and bill payments, package services have gone up dramatically. This month the United States Postal Service has agreed that our business has grown to the point that we need to add a second “window” in order to handle the volume of mail, particularly at the busy holiday and tax time seasons. This Christmas season should run much smoother!
Don’t Forget About Sidewalk Sale
Also, don’t forget that even though the Sidewalk Sale is over, the merchandise has been moved inside. Prices have been reduced even further. Come on in and check out the bargains before they all disappear!
