Highly visible retail outlet represents unique business/service model partnership
Belmont students and staff were joined by community members today to celebrate the grand opening of The UPS Store at Belmont University, a new retail outlet in the hot 12 South district. The store represents a unique partnership in that The UPS Store, in addition to supporting its retail customers, also serves as the central mail center for the University, handling all incoming mail and packages for more than 8,800 students and employees.
This hybrid store partnership is a first-of-its-kind for The UPS Store. In addition to the professionally-managed central mail center, The UPS Store at Belmont University is the first location nationwide to provide a 24-hour package locker system that gives students the option of retrieving packages at the time that fits best with their schedules.
“Opening The UPS Store location on campus allowed us to add convenience for our students, faculty and staff and increase the breadth of services while providing a cost savings to the university” said Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher. “The UPS Store provides an integral service for our university with the mail services as well as added benefits like the lockers and shipping during campus move in. It’s been a win-win to have them on campus.”
Business owners Les Jackson and Jim Thien are Nashville entrepreneurs who own four other local The UPS Store locations. The UPS Store at Belmont University was able to revamp the software program for tracking mail and packages, cutting down time for retrieving campus packages by 60- 80 percent compared to the previous system.
Jackson said, “The UPS Store at Belmont University is the first location nationwide that combines services not only for Belmont University, but also for the local community. Service to the community is very important to Belmont, and the University encouraged us to provide services to the growing neighborhood around the school (including the vibrant 12 South community), an area that was not previously served by The UPS Store. We are very excited about this new, unique location on the Belmont University campus.”
The store’s hours are 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday thru Friday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays. In addition to its Belmont partnership, this location also offers the printing, packing, mailbox, shipping and small business services for which The UPS Store is known nationally.
