Robert Zamot only has to walk a couple of blocks to feel connected to his son who lives out of state.  He usually sends him and other extended family members presents several times a month from his local post office on Webster Avenue, known as the Botanical Station. Zamot also does the vast majority of his bill pay through the mail.

But now, this 30-year resident of the Bedford Park neighborhood may have to walk an extra 15 to 20 minutes just to buy stamps.

The Botanical Station is one of 53 New York City locations, seven of which are in the Bronx, the U.S. Post Office is considering closing due to decreases in mail volume that it attributes to “electronic diversion and the widespread economic recession.” 

“[For me] It would be a huge inconvenience,” said Zamot.  “[For the community] it would be very detrimental considering the lots of elderly,” continued Zamot, who is concerned about the distance senior citizens would have to travel to the nearest office, the Fordham location on East 188th Street. At least two senior citizen facilities are located just blocks from the Botanical Station.

Herman Clement, the owner of a metal shop located next to the Botanical Station (he also owns the building where both are housed), called the closing unfair to those who prefer paying their bills by mail, rather than online.

“We didn’t grow up with computers,” said Clement. “[The elderly] like to pay bills [by mail] and see the results themselves.”

Clement and his business partner, Roberto Vayas, rent the post office their space and called the possible closing a “complete shock.”  They also criticized the way the agency informed the public. “They put a notice on the door. How much attention do people pay when they see a notice?  They open the door, close the door,” said Clemet.  “If more people were aware, there would be more worry.”

Residents aren’t the only ones troubled by the office’s potential closing. Employees also feel they have been left in dark.

“Nobody is answering our questions,” said Margie Serrano, a sales service associate at the Botanical Station, who would be very upset if she were relocated to a different location, which she’s been told is a possibility. But Serrano is most enraged about the effects the closing will have on the local immigrant community, which she says uses the post office for “money orders and all their basic needs because there is no bank in the area.”

Barbara Stronczer, president of the Bedford Mosholu Community Association, is trying to ensure that the neighborhood is more aware.  She has collected over 650 signatures for a petition against the station’s closing, including those of local merchants like Pioneer Supermarket and Allen Cleaners that rely heavily on postal services. Stronczer realizes they are also going to need some additional support and is reaching out to local politicians.

“In this instance we need the help of our elected officials,” said Stronczer.  “We’re hoping they come through for us.” 
As of press time, Stronczer was still not sure who would respond.

In an e-mail, a USPS representative said, “We will work to preserve access to postal retail services.” Through a review process, including the distribution of questionnaires to postal customers asking about usage and proximity to other locations, the USPS hopes to determine if services at certain stations can be combined, the USPS spokesperson said, adding that they do not expect to see any decisions on closings before Oct. 2.