US Post Office

This has been my post office for the five years I’ve lived in Providence, and it wasn’t until a visit to another post office in Providence on the Friday before Christmas that I realized I had yet another reason to feel lucky to live in the 2 909. I was misguided in assuming the other USPS would be more convenient simply because I was driving by it; I’m sure we can agree that customer service trumps geography when you have the choice. But I’ll save the story of that frustrating Friday for the appropriate review, and instead detail the positive aspects of the Olneyville Post Office that put that other, lesser USPS to shame.
I never have a problem finding parking here. There are about 6 or 7 dedicated spots in a small lot across the street, and a few street spots out front. And the post office is located between two intersections with stop lights, so I usually don’t feel like I am risking my life crossing the street to the front door, either.
I rarely wait in line for long here. Even on the busiest days for the USPS, the queues at this post office move at a reasonable pace despite the fact that I’ve never seen more than two people behind the counter at the same time. Best of all, there is no sense of claustrophobia, with plenty of natural and artificial light, and lots of room both in the foyer, where the post office boxes reside, and in the customer service area — where two or three large tables are available for boxing and addressing packages.
One of the regular clerks can come off as curt, but I think her personality is just a bit brusque, and I have gotten her to crack a smile on more than one occasion. Service is generally pleasant and staff are usually as helpful as possible. If you wait in line to speak to a clerk to consult about packaging, they let you step aside and pack your item and then cut to the front of the line when you are finished. Even when I have witnessed language barriers between patrons and clerks, I have never seen frustration from the latter, only patience and care.
Yes, patience and care. At the post office. I guess you can’t blame a small town girl for taking it for granted, but now I definitely know not to.