By SEAN MCCARTHY
Eagle Times Correspondent
CLAREMONT, N.H. — The one-page notice published to UPS Store Boxholders who pay for annual mail handling services simply says, “The UPS Store will be closing at the end of 2024.” The notice also said the Claremont Center Self Storage will remain open into 2025 and beyond. The statement ends with “Thank you for your loyalty over the years.” The undated notice was signed by Pam Fairbanks, manager. The Claremont UPS store is located at 425 Washington St.
When Fairbanks was contacted for additional information and remarks, she declined stating “No comment.” Store employees indicated they were directed by management not to make any statements or remarks to the media, as well.
It’s unclear why the shipping agent is so closed lipped about their pending closure. If you ask just anybody in Claremont about the UPS Store, they have fond remarks of how friendly and efficient the store employees are.
Council Member, local business owner and former UPS Store mailbox client, Nick Koloski said, “I’m in there at least once a week dropping off packages. I’m not sure where the next available place is you can do that.” Koloski went on to say, they are very easy to use stopping out there to drop off packages is a bonus. “They’re always so friendly when you go in there,” said Koloski.
If a reader is suddenly having an epiphany they want to open the next UPS Store, they might want to think twice in what’s involved. In an article published online at franchisedirect.com, author Renee Bailey penned an article, “How Much Does it Cost to Open a The UPS Store” July 29, 2023. Baily indicated, just the franchise fee itself is $10-$30,000. When you throw in all the budgeted items that are estimated the first three months, the totals grow significantly.
Online website Glassdoor.com, updated June, 6, 2024, reported an estimated financial return to a sole operator of a UPS Store Franchise owner as around $150,000 a year.
According to ups.com the next closest UPS location is a “UPS Access Point” which is inside the Claremont CVS Drugstore, 1 Wall Street in Claremont. Only Pre-packaged and pre-labeled packages are accepted. A little more than eight miles away in Newport is an “UPS Authorized Shipping provider,” which is located inside established business, “New London Copy Specialists” storefront at 86 Sunapee Street. The franchise offers packaging supplies as well as shipping services. This location does not offer mailbox services.
Internet online shoppers who have become accustomed to easy product returns via the UPS Store will need to find an alternate shipper come 2025.
Readers should understand the closing of the Claremont UPS Store, in no way has any impact on the fine people driving around Claremont in the big brown trucks, who deliver packages to your homes all week long.
