Fred says hi

[dreamshark]

I visited my nearest surviving Post Office today, the one at 54th and Nicollet. People have been telling me that the nice older postal worker with the silver hair and glasses has been reassigned there. I couldn't quite place who they were talking about, but when I saw him there I immediately recognized him. His name is Fred. The office was pretty much empty (to my COVID-nervous relief) so I paused to chat and tell him that a lot of people missed seeing him at the old Lake Street Station. He was very touched. He's worked for the USPS for 30 years, and is still so devastated about the destruction of his home station that he hasn't been back to look at it. I told him about the graffiti on the front of the gutted building: "We *heart* our postal patrons! We WILL be back to serve you!" and he got misty-eyed. He says that the Lake Street Station will be reopening temporarily in the old K-Mart building any day now, and will operate there for probably two years while a new building is constructed next to it. Then the old K-Mart Building will be demolished. 

Comments

[lydy]

I remember Fred! He's just so competent and sweet and kind and I totally miss him! I've seen him deal with all sorts of customers, confused ones, customers with very little English, customers who wanted things that could not be provided, always with calm and clarity. Man, I am glad to hear news of him. Thank you.

[gerisullivan]

What Lydy said! Fred was by far my favorite postal worker at Lake Street Station. I'm surprised he hasn't retired yet, but delighted he's still serving postal patrons. Because he's absolutely magnificent at it.

[quadong]

Excellent. Keep passing on Lake Street Station news. I don't know Fred, but that too.

[dreamshark]

Reportedly, the Lake Street Station and Minnehaha Station opened on Monday in the old K-Mart building. Anyway, according to the Strib that was the plan. I haven't been over there.

[quadong]

Neat.

good news

[eileenlufkin]

Thanks for the update on Fred and the post office. I will try to remember to check the old Kmart sometime soon.