Posted: 9/21/05
By Aaron Vehling
UPS, FedEx, DHL.
Shipping packages via the Big Three is now easier for area residents because a new shipping alternative is in town.
Poste Haste, which is located in the Northgate Mall, opened its doors in August but held its official grand opening celebration last weekend.
The store is similar to a Kinkoís or UPS Store, in that it's almost a business for businesses; but the average John Q. North Branch need not be dismayed.
If you need to send a package, husband and wife owners Natalie and Donald Nelson will send it anywhere for you.
Natalie said one reason she and her husband were attracted to this business model is because they themselves have needed these services in North Branch and discovered that they simply weren't available.
The store offers a variety of packing and office supply solutions, including personal mailboxes, envelopes, print cartridges and paper products.
ìWeíre a one-stop location so people donít have to drive everywhere to get things done,î she said.
Poste Haste also does signmaking and book binding.
They have a special sign printer which can print decals for autos or even large vinyl outdoor signs.
The Nelsons, of North Branch, will even customize a package for you should you bring in an odd-shaped item that seems to be impossible to package.
The Nelsons, who have lived in North Branch since 2000, have put a lot of their own heart and soul into their store, Natalie said.
Donald did some construction himself. He built and installed the counter scheme. Natalie went to a variety of classes which focused on the science of sending packages. She also was responsible for getting the computer system in order.
One of the classes Natalie said she took focused on shipping packages internationally.
ìWe learned the shipping laws for each country,î she said. There are certain factors you must take into account when shipping internationally, she added.
ìThe temperature changes for packages as they are shipped,î she said, ìand some countries wonít allow wood to be shipped into them.î
There is also a limited number of post office style secured mailboxes available. They are accessible 24 hours a day. Natalie said the store will sign for packages sent to customers who have mailboxes.
Natalie said when she and her husband were looking into various franchises relating to the business, she noticed that companies recommend a business like hers for cities with populations of 25,000 or more.
ìI hope we do well,î she said. ìWe offer the big city services but with a small town touch. We get to know people.î
©ECM Post Review
6448 Main Street
North Branch, MN 55056
Telephone: 651-674-7025
Fax: 651-674-7026
E-mail: editor.postreview@ecm-inc.com