Future of Leesburg Post Office Still Unknown

It's still unknown whether or not the Leesburg Post Office will remain open.

Clerk Rob Edwards said Thursday that he has heard a lot of talk from customers that his location will continue to operate. However, Edwards said there has been no official confirmation. 

"I have asked my bosses and they do not know anything other than what's been heard on television," Edwards said.

In November 2011, was held at the Rust Library to announce that a number of post offices throughout the nation could be facing a closure. The Market Street location was one of them. 

Communications Program Specialist Laura Dvorak said that the decision came after a rapid adoption of electronic communication and diversions, as people choose to do online banking and bill pay. The recession was also a concern. 

In March, the Washington Post reported that a number of residents within Northern Virginia were doing everything they could to save their local post office.

Leesburg resident Robert Brown was quoted in the article saying that the figures the USPS used to determine which post offices to close were not correct. He is in full support of keeping the downtown post office at 15 E. Market Street open, which is slated to close due to budget cuts.

“With the growth here I think this post office is going to be needed," Brown told the Post. 

Until a final decision is made, Edwards said he is happy to see that so many people believe in the value of the historic downtown business. 

"I hope it's going to stay open," Edwards said. "From what I'm hearing they're changing the hours on a lot of the smaller rural post offices. They're cutting hours. I don't think that's going to affect me here. I don't think I'm considered a rural office, but I haven't been told anything for sure."

Edwards said that it's important to him to serve the local community, many of whom he's worked with for 25 years.

Leesburg Patch will provide updates on the future of the downtown post office as soon as they become available.