Shipping business moves location in New Richmond

• Image

Owner Glenn Thompson stands by the Oh Ship sign at the business’ new location at 715 S. Knowles Ave.

Talk about it

Glenn Thompson shipped his FedEx business half a mile down Knowles Avenue to offer his customers more covenience.

Moving Oh Ship from its original location at 105 S. Knowles Ave. to 715 S. Knowles Ave. didn’t happen at an express speed though.

“I bought the old house the first part of February and we moved in on the first of April,” Thompson said. “It was a good time to buy a house to turn into a business.”

Thompson said turning the nearly 100-year-old house into a business has taken a lot of work.

Turning the house into a commerical property has required new doors, windows, paint, replacement of plumbing fixtures, new carpet, new outdoor stairs and large sign in front of the building.

“I’m 63, and it’s been a fun project. It’s been fun trying to ‘make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear’ ya know?” said Thompson.

A new parking lot alongside the building is the next project on Thompson’s list, and probably one of the most important projects to achieve his business goal of convenience.

“I really want to provide more convenient parking,” Thompson said. At the previous location, “the parking was hit and miss. Somedays the parking was fine, somedays it was crowded.”

Thompson said parking in the heart of downtown became a big issue for his business, not only for the two FedEx trucks that come daily, but for customers as well.

“A lady has a 30 pound box and she has to park a block away, that’s really inconvenient,” he said.

Thompson said he hopes the sand and limestone parking lot will be complete in the next couple days.

“We’re trying to design this new location for customer convenience,” which will hopefully help the business grow, Thompson said. “The sign and stand alone building will help with exposure, now more people will know there is FedEx shipping in New Richmond. Even though I’ve been in New Richmond five years, there are people who don’t realize it,” said Thompson.

Thompson said local customers will save money by going to Oh Ship for their shipping and ink cartridge needs.

In addition to customers saving gas money from running to Hudson or Stillwater, Minn. for shipping or printing products, Thompson claims he’s cheaper than all the retail stores selling the same products.

“I try to provide fast, friendly service at the lowest possible shipping rates and lowest prices on ink and toner,” Thompson said. “If we don’t have a product, usually we can special order it and have it for you within a couple days.”

Thompson hopes his friendly service and affordable prices matched with the new convenient location will draw in new customers.

Thompson said people can find the Oh Ship location on Knowles Avenue easily thanks to the big white sign in front of the business.

“You can’t miss us now,” he said.

Tags: new richmond, business, retail