PHOTOS: Post Office Opens in New Location on Locust Avenue

The new Post Office this week opened for regular “window operation” in its new home, a Federal-style building opposite Joe’s Pizza, at 18 Locust Ave.

Though the U.S. Postal Service will not hold an official grand opening until Jan. 17, according to spokesperson Christine Dugas, the new building welcomed New Canaanites seeking to mail out letters and packages throughout Friday.

Customers said they were impressed with the cozy new building—decked in Christmas wreaths made by the New Canaan Beautification League and New Canaan Garden Club—ample parking around back and side exit for those returning to the lot.

Notices posted in the temporary Post Office space at 90 Main St. instructed locals that PO Box and mail pickup would continue at that location for the time being.

The long-awaited move bookends a 3-year period during which New Canaanites have been without a permanent Post Office. A lease on its former longtime at Park and Pine Streets expired and the Post Office moved to 90 Main St. in the center of town, a difficult location for parking.

For a time, it appeared uncertain whether New Canaan would be able to secure a permanent Post Office. In the fall of 2014, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-4), First Selectman Rob Mallozzi and New Canaan Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tucker Murphy all become closely involved with the effort.

The Post Office narrowed candidate sites to two in early-2015, eventually choosing Locust Avenue over a Park Street site next door to the former Post Office.

After sorting out some final concerns regarding traffic flow and parking, town officials last May approved a site plan for the new, two-story brick, cupola-topped, Federal-style structure on Locust. USPS signed a 10-year lease with two 5-year renewal options.