Residents in Altadena on Wednesday celebrated the grand opening of a new post office at Webster's Community Pharmacy, marking an important step in restoring essential services to a community devastated by January's wildfires.
Los Angeles County Supervisor and Board Chair Kathryn Barger joined U.S. Postal Service officials and local partners Wednesday to celebrate the launch of the Village Post Office at 2333 Lake Ave. It offers mail drop-offs, pre-paid box services, stamp sales and flat-rate mailing supplies.
The post office was made possible through a partnership between Barger, the U.S. Postal Service, Webster's and the Altadena Recovery and Rebuild Corporation, all working to help the community recover from the Eaton Fire.
"Today's grand opening is more than the return of postal services, it's another step towards cultivating hope and a sense of normalcy," Barger said in a statement.
"This new Village Post Office stands as a testament to the resilience and dedication of Altadena's residents, local business owners, support organizations, and our federal partners who worked hard to make this reopening a reality," she added.
Altadena Town Council Chair Victoria Knapp said she’s happy to again have a place to drop off mail.
“For the Altadeans that live here that don't want to leave to go into another town to have their prescriptions or do mail, this is a great place to come in addition to the nostalgia candy and the Altadena wear,” she said.
Meredith Miller, owner of Webster's, said the business has served Altadena for nearly 100 years and hosted USPS operations for the past 50.
"People are still struggling -- the trauma lingers, and everyone is faced with so many difficult decisions," Miller said in a statement. "Being able to bring neighbors together and provide a positive, meaningful service to the community is deeply rewarding."
Manny Abascal, a board member of the Altadena Recovery and Rebuild Corporation, called the grand opening a "milestone" in Altadena's recovery.
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"ARRC's mission is to serve as a bridge connecting philanthropy, investors, the private and public sectors and the community," Abascal said in a statement. "Our role in this project was to help secure funding and help coordinate efforts so postal services could once again be offered locally."
Barger also expressed her gratitude to the USPS, the former Acting Postmaster General Douglas Tulino and new Postmaster General David Steiner, who began his tenure Monday, for their responsiveness and partnership.
Cipriano Corona, USPS district manager, said Wednesday's event marked the agency's continued commitment to the community.
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