By MOLLIE BROWN / Business Columnist

The UPS Store of Calera has moved next to Pizza Hut in the Calera Market Place located at the intersection of U.S. 31 and Alabama 70. The store opened for business July 5 at its new location, 136-B Market Place Circle.

The UPS Store, established in 2009, was previously located in the Hampton Square shopping mall. Due to the mall never fully developing, or securing a major anchor store, store owner Phil Crigler decided to re-locate.

“Another factor that contributed to the move was the major inconvenience of the heavy traffic flow our customers encountered crossing I-65 at exit 231,” Crigler said. “It was in the best interest of the business and my customers to relocate to the more developed, easily accessible market place. This move has given the store more exposure to the people of Calera and surrounding communities and allowed us to serve them better. Providing better service to our customers is what we’re all about. I’m excited about the rapid growth in south Shelby County, and want to be in the best location to maximize that growth and serve our customers.”

Store employee Andrea Glover said she, as well as the other employees, are equally excited about the move. “We supported this move 100 percent. We’ve already seen a vast increase in traffic flow and sales.”

UPS does “more than just shipping.” The store offers many additional services, e.g., black and white and color copying, notary services, passport photos, mailboxes and complete mail services, online and iPhone printing, custom designed brochures, invitations, business cards, banners and posters, blueprint services, fingerprinting and background check services, laminating and binding services. The store stocks greeting cards, shipping and moving boxes, office supplies and tape.

Crigler offers these helpful hints about shipping: Call ahead for an estimate, especially if the store does the packing to ensure the item gets to its destination safely.  Always have your shipment to the store by 5 p.m. to insure it goes out the same day.

Store hours are 8 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday; the store is closed on Sunday. Call Crigler at 668-4822 for questions about shipments.

 

Mollie Brown is a business columnist for the Shelby County Reporter. She can be reached at dmjhb1@bellsouth.net.