SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Hy-Vee and Lewis Drug locations will soon no longer offer postal services, including the mailing of packages and purchasing of postage, due to the termination of contracts by the United States Postal Service (USPS).
Eight Lewis locations and six Hy-Vee locations in Sioux Falls will lose service in September, according to the USPS.
KELOLAND’s Nathan DeGreef reached out to the USPS earlier this week and was told that the USPS sometimes contracts with suppliers to host Contract Postal Units, or CPUs.
“Under the CPU contract terms, the Postal Service and CPU operators both agreed that either party can terminate the contract upon giving 120 days’ notice,” read the statement from the USPS. “We have exercised our right to do so in some cases where nearby post offices that are operated by the Postal Service are capable of serving the community directly. Doing so better enables us to fulfill our commitment to serve our communities with efficient and reliable access to retail services.”
The USPS provided the following list of impacted locations, and their nearest USPS-operated facility:
| CPU location | Nearest USPS location |
| LEWIS DRUG 17 – 5830 E MADISON ST, SIOUX FALLS | 1420 E ASPEN BLVD BRANDON |
| LEWIS DRUG SOUTH – 6109 S LOUISE AVE, SIOUX FALLS | 2501 S LOUISE AVE SIOUX FALLS |
| LEWIS DRUG – 2525 S ELLIS RD, SIOUX FALLS | 502 E FIGZEL CT STE A TEA |
| HY-VEE STORE #1638 – 1231 E 57TH ST, SIOUX FALLS | 518 N CLIFF AVE HARRISBURG |
| LEWIS DRUG SOUTHEAST – 4409 E 26TH ST, SIOUX FALLS | 320 S 2ND AVE SIOUX FALLS |
| LEWIS DRUG SOUTHWEST – 5500 W 41ST ST, SIOUX FALLS | 2501 S LOUISE AVE SIOUX FALLS |
| HY-VEE STORE #1624 – 1601 S SYCAMORE AVE, SIOUX FALLS | 320 S 2ND AVE SIOUX FALLS |
| LEWIS DRUG SOUTHGATE – 2901 S MINNESOTA AVE, SIOUX FALLS | 320 S 2ND AVE SIOUX FALLS |
| HY-VEE STORE #1632 – 3000 S MINNESOTA AVE, SIOUX FALLS | 320 S 2ND AVE SIOUX FALLS |
| LEWIS DRUG WESTGATE – 2700 W 12TH ST, SIOUX FALLS | 320 S 2ND AVE SIOUX FALLS |
| HY-VEE STORE #1637 – 3020 E 10TH ST, SIOUX FALLS | 320 S 2ND AVE SIOUX FALLS |
| LEWIS DRUGS EASTGATE – 1301 E 10TH ST, SIOUX FALLS | 320 S 2ND AVE SIOUX FALLS |
| HY-VEE STORE #1631 – 4101 S LOUISE AVE, SIOUX FALLS | 2501 S LOUISE AVE SIOUX FALLS |
| HY-VEE STORE #1633 – 1900 S MARION RD, SIOUX FALLS | 2501 S LOUISE AVE SIOUX FALLS |
In total, five USPS locations will serve as alternatives for the 14 impacted Hy-Vee/Lewis Drug locations.
According to signage posted at Lewis Drug locations, postal services at their stores are set to end on September 30.
Bob Meyer, Senior VP of Merchandise & Marketing for Lewis Drug spoke on the phone with KELOLAND News Thursday morning. He said the termination of the mail service contract was not their choice.
“This was by no means a Lewis decision,” said Meyer, adding that Lewis Drug is just as disappointed in the change as many customers who will no longer be able to send mail and purchase postage at their stores.
Meyer added he feels some customers have not understood the dynamic, and emphasized again this was a decision by the USPS, and not one Lewis Drug had made. He said he hopes at some point in the future, USPS will reconsider its decision, telling KELOLAND News it is an inconvenience to the customers who have shopped and used postal service at their stores.
Lewis will continue to offer postal services through the end of the current contract on September 30, according to Meyer.
