Kevin Wolohan and Ed Tinsley are moving Jet Mail from Fillmore to 2184 Sutter.
By Donna Gillespie
FILLMORE STREET will soon lose a landmark, a warm and friendly neighborhood destination that still offers meticulous, old-fashioned mailing services — a place that’s so much more than just somewhere to mail a box. After 22 years, Jet Mail is moving.
The good news is that it’s not going very far. January 31 will be Jet Mail’s last day at 2130 Fillmore Street. But on the next day, at 8 a.m. on February 1, the shop will reopen five blocks away — at 2184 Sutter Street, near Pierce.
Owner Ed Tinsley says the move was prompted by rapidly rising rents.
“The rent is too high right now, and it will soon go up,” says Tinsley. “We needed to find a place where the rent was more manageable that allows us to survive as a business.”
The Fillmore Street location has been home to the business since 1990, and Tinsley says it will not be easy to let it go. About 300 individuals and businesses rent mailboxes there — and countless others use its notary and packing and mailing services and purchase shipping supplies, as well as incidentals such as wrapping paper, gift boxes and greeting cards.
Tinsley says he’s enjoyed being at the heart of the action on Fillmore. He can’t step out the door without getting caught up in conversation with old friends, and he knows all the business owners on the street — and rents mailboxes to quite a few of them, past and present.
The new location does offer some advantages. It’s in a less-crowded, slower-paced part of the neighborhood, and has easier parking. Tinsley says, somewhat hopefully, that the move shouldn’t pose too much of an inconvenience.
“It’s really not very far away — just five minutes, and that’s on foot,” he says.
“Our customers are very loyal,” Tinsley says, “and they really like our service. Very few people have indicated the new location wouldn’t be suitable for them.” He also hopes the presence of Jet Mail will enliven these quieter blocks and that eventually other businesses will follow.
Jet Mail’s hours in the new location will be the same: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
EARLIER: “Down at the P.O.“
Filed under: Locals