Image default

Any interest in a package pickup spot?

From Nextdoor:

I wanted to know if anyone would be interested in paying for some type of service (like a UPS store) if one were available in the area. I manage some commercial space and I think a store like this would be beneficial to the neighborhood.

The most obvious being you could have parcels delivered there and then you could pick up at your leisure. It beats the hassle of having things stolen off your porch. 🙁

I am just gathering information. I am not soliciting any business or trying to take advantage of anyone. Just trying to find a commercial tenant who could provide a service that we could all use.

40 comments

Katherine Jester 01/27/2017 at 8:44 AM

That’s a great idea. Not to mention if you could offer mailing services as an alternative to the 25th street PO…that would be most welcome.

Reply
Havis L. Wright 01/27/2017 at 8:46 AM

There’s a package pickup for UPS at Shockoe Valley Market and FedEx at the Suntrust building on Main. The real culprit here is convenient pickup hours for USPS which this wouldn’t really resolve.

Reply
John M 01/27/2017 at 8:50 AM

I see great service in offering package pickup up here on the hill.

I use a PO BOX on 25th Street now, but their hours are not great, and the lines can be very long.

Reply
Victoria McGovern 01/27/2017 at 8:55 AM

I pickup at Shockoe Valley already. Love them!

Reply
Daniel Meehan 01/27/2017 at 9:00 AM

I have all packages delivered to my office. Problem solved!

Reply
Jesse English 01/27/2017 at 9:00 AM

Sad so many are thieves. Problem for the whole city, not just Church Hill.

Reply
Jason S 01/27/2017 at 10:14 AM

You may want to reach out to Houston or Helena at the Church Hill Area Business Association.
chabarva@gmail.com

Reply
MP 01/27/2017 at 10:19 AM

Yes, that would be GREAT! The Shockoe Valley place is really hard to get to; it’s too far for me to walk (if I have a heavy package) and really difficult to park around there esp during rush hour.

Reply
UnionHillian 01/27/2017 at 10:27 AM

An actual UPS Store would be great. I had a bad UPS pkg. “P/U” experience at Shockoe Valley Market, and the 25th St. Post Office us far from ideal for p/u &/or shipping.

Reply
MisterF 01/27/2017 at 10:38 AM

Yes! I can never make it to the PO by its closing time and the little bodega can have tough/annoying parking. Oh, and getting packages stolen is getting old too…

Reply
Eric S. Huffstutler 01/27/2017 at 12:22 PM

@5 Daniel Meehan

Yes, that is an option ONLY if an employer allows this. There are many businesses that do not allow “personal” emails, phone calls, mail, shipping, even items to decorate your desk.

I can only hope that people of Church Hill are not “standoffish” or “antisocial” and personally know their neighbors… some who may be home while you are at work and could be an alternate address to have items shipped to.

Reply
Ann From-Virginia 01/27/2017 at 12:56 PM

At one point a 1st precinct LT offered the precinct for craiglist transactions when there were problems with theft, etc. I’ve often thought about asking them to extend that to package delivery during the M-F business hours when there is civilian staff on site…sort of like UPS pick up at local convenience stores.

Reply
Kay9 01/27/2017 at 1:20 PM

Install a camera that is visible to the thief. They’ll likely avoid your front porch.

Reply
25th Street Mike 01/27/2017 at 3:14 PM

Would be fantastic…if planned correctly.

Reply
Francine 01/27/2017 at 3:49 PM

I see lots of options on Amazon (many architecturally attractive) for locked parcel drop boxes that you can place on your porch or mount on a wall. Many different sizes. They can be pricey but would help alleviate the frustration of having a package stolen. But then again, whichever drop box you buy would probably be stolen from your porch the day it is delivered. Never mind.

Reply
Heather 01/27/2017 at 6:42 PM

Absolutely yes

Reply
Andy Barton 01/27/2017 at 9:26 PM

The UPS pickup at Shockoe Valley Market is horrible. Everytime I’ve had to pickup, the guy won’t come over unless you track him down, he expects you to tell him the size of the package, and often says something shitty to you then says "God bless" like that makes it okay.

Reply
Mrs. M Street 01/27/2017 at 10:34 PM

Yes! I’ve considered buying a box at a UPS store. I would be very interested in something like this.

Reply
k 01/28/2017 at 10:18 AM

It would be cool if Union Market offered something like this.

Reply
Eric S. Huffstutler 01/28/2017 at 12:09 PM

If Shockoe Valley Market acts like it is a big inconvenience for them to help UPS customers, why do they even bother offering the service?

Sounds great that the 1st Precinct (25th and Q St) would make that offer about Craigslist transactions.

I know that the 401 building is an option if purpose bought but, does anyone here know the people that run Decogram across the street at 324 N 27th? The building is long and had lots of space yet is sparsely used. Possibly they can offer up some space for community service as a UPS location?

Reply
Scott Tilghman 01/28/2017 at 3:23 PM

Yes!

Reply
Jess 01/31/2017 at 8:00 AM

I would very much be interested in a place to have packages delivered from all shipping options. I am new to Church Hill, and so far have not had issues with stolen packages (knock on wood). While many people I know have packages delivered to their work place, that isn’t an option for me. I’ve also considered buying a parcel lock box, but would definitely prefer to have a local spot with easy access in the neighborhood.

Reply
M & K Whaley 01/31/2017 at 10:54 AM

There is a door bell video cam on Amazon that someone used to catch a person scoping out their packages.

Reply
Eric Huffstutler 02/02/2017 at 10:24 AM

Has anyone picked up on this yet to make it happen? Or work out a plan other than just talking about it?

The doorbell video…is only good for one event happening (past tense) but this is something happening multiple times all over the area. And it doesn’t keep your package safe or guaranteed to recover it even if the culprit is caught.

Reply
Eric Huffstutler 02/20/2017 at 5:30 PM

Hmmm… more problems with mail and packages (ongoing) but has anyone given more thought about this proposal? Seems to have been a hot topic and then, just dropped off the radar?

Reply
Christopher Romero 04/25/2017 at 12:55 PM

Yes, would be very interested in this. I’m also new to the neighborhood and looking into similar options. Another option is this app I found called Doorman that allows you to schedule deliveries for after hours (for a fee).

Reply
Ann Okubo 09/07/2017 at 10:38 AM

Has there been any movement on this? It’s a great idea. Have looked at the UPS Store option but the closest location is in Carytown — with its terrible traffic and parking issues.

Reply
crd 09/08/2017 at 12:22 PM

There is now an Amazon storage locker at the Farm Fresh. It’s in the western area just inside the doors before you enter the actual store.

Reply

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.