‘This came out of nowhere’: Winfield post office closing Sept. 30

The Winfield postal substation is set to close on September 30th. An email was sent earlier this week to Amy Culver, the customer service agent, and George and Diane Smith, the building owners, by a U.S. Postal Service official announcing the termination of the contract. This substation, located at 8380 E. 109th Ave., Crown Point, will be shut down as the Postal Service has determined that nearby facilities can adequately serve the community without it.

Susan W. Wright, a Strategic Communications Specialist for the U.S. Postal Corporate Communications, explained that Contract Postal Units (CPUs) like the one in Winfield are hosted by retailers and may be terminated with 120 days’ notice. The termination has caught Culver and the Smiths off guard, as they were under the impression that everything was going well.

The Smiths, who have lived in the area for almost 40 years, had agreed to house the post office substation as a way to give back to the community. They have received positive feedback from residents over the years. Both Town Council President Zack Beaver and Winfield Township Trustee Cody Reynolds expressed disappointment over the closure, as they believe it serves thousands of residents.

Reynolds, in a statement, condemned the termination and voiced concerns about the possible closure of another post office in Leroy, emphasizing the impact it would have on the community. He is working with other officials to find a positive solution for the residents. For more information, residents are encouraged to contact the Winfield Township Trustee’s Office or the Crown Point branch of the U.S. Postal Service.