Earlier this week, Erie News Now first reported that the long-time business, Pony Express was in jeopardy of closing after their contract with the U.S. Postal service would be terminated.

They aren't the only business facing this dilemma. Kraus' Department Store could also be facing a similar fate.


David Grab, the owner of Pony Express on West 8th Street is still grappling with the news that his contract was not renewed, but he quickly learned, he wasn't alone. "It not only effects us, it effects another business, Kraus' Department Store located on the east side and the Sonic car wash on Upper Peach. All three of us in the Erie area have been notified we are going to have our contracts terminated", said Grab.


Kraus' Department Store is an essential business on Parade Street and staff were just as confused as Grab was to learn their contract would no longer be continuing.

Adam Nowosielski, the partner and owner of Kraus' said, "I was surprised. We didn't hear anything from anybody and all of a sudden, we got a letter in the mail saying in three months saying we were going to terminate them all and that's all we got, there was no explanation why."


He said has been searching for answers, but keeps coming up empty handed. As Nowosielski explained, "I tried to get a hold of the post office, some of the people in the local office didn't even know about it and it's hard to reach anyone there and we haven't gotten any answers yet."


If they lose the contract, he's not sure how this will effect the neighborhood. Not only is this a huge part of their income at Kraus' but also they serve all the people that live here on the east side and management said without this post office they could be traveling up to twenty minutes to get their letters mailed.


He said it could be a huge disadvantage to community members who have relied on this service for years. "There's no other post office around here. You have to go to State Street all the way to 38th is the closest. A lot of people really rely on us, so it's going to hurt those people who don't have a car or don't have the ability to walk five or six blocks each day, so I think it's definitely going to impact the community of not being able to mail what they need to mail", said Nowosielski.