Note to audience: This is an updated version of this story to reflect the U.S. Post Office in downtown Fort Myers is open. It is open Monday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
The lines at the post offices in SW Florida are longer than usual — and for many communities, that’s becoming the new normal.
With closures, staffing shortages and growing demand for shipping and mail services, some residents say access to a neighborhood post office in places like Naples and Fort Myers is getting harder to count on.
In Fort Myers, the downtown post office on Monroe Street was damaged during Hurricane Ian in September 2022. It reopened but closed again after it was damaged by Hurricane Helene in 2024 − and this was after the property was put up for sale with an $8 million asking price that would allow 12-story building with hotel and business use possible. It has since opened again and operating again like it was before the damage from the hurricanes.
Are you feeling the impact at your SW Florida post office, or has your experience stayed the same?
You can take the poll here, or use this interactive voting tool: (FYI, the interactive voting tool allows you to comment and we’d love to hear from you). You can also send an email with your thoughts to mbickel@gannett.com.
Poll: The state of post offices in SW Florida
Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News; download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here and here.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Are post offices in SW Florida becoming another ‘line stress’ for you?
Reporting by Mark H. Bickel, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
