REEDLEY, CA — When customers come in for groceries and to gas up at J Market and Gas at 1384 E. Manning Ave, Reedley, CA 93654, they can now fill up with postage and U.S. Postal Service products as well. On Monday, Sept. 8, 2014, at 11:30 a.m., customers will be greeted with a grand opening as owner Javier Carmona cuts the ribbon as his store becomes a Village Post Office (VPO).

Carmona and his wife, Inez, are ecstatic that their gas and convenience store will be the community’s first VPO, offering the community alternative access to purchase Forever stamps and Priority Mail Flat Rate postage. J Market and Gas will be the first Hispanic–owned business in the Central Valley to open a VPO.

Reedley dubs itself as “The World’s Fruit Basket,” and hosts many festivals year round, including the annual Reedley Fiesta in October, that brings many visitors to the area. The addition of a VPO becomes an added convenience for locals and visitors alike.

Customers are able to purchase Forever Stamps, drop off prepaid mail and packages and pick up free Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes and envelopes. The convenience for customers is that many VPOs offer expanded business hours, including Sundays and holidays.
VPOs are located within existing communities in a variety of locations, including convenience stores, local businesses and libraries, and are operated by the management of those locations.

Post Office Operations Manager Neil Gonzalez and Reedley Postmaster Sherri Jones will join Carmona in the grand opening ceremony.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

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