The new post office is about double the size it was and hasadded 40 parking space for patrons. But the biggest change awaitingpostal customers and employees alike is the "store concept"layout.

There's no more standing in line to get to the counter to seethe clerk. Instead, the post office will function much like aretail store, with customers selecting stamps, boxes, packingmaterials and such before going to "checkout" to pay for purchases.Patrons seeking mail service only will have direct counter access,as in the past.

The post office has been operating out of temporary quarters atWestheimer and Beltway for the past two and a half years, while theRogerdale site had been under construction. The modern facilitywill house 23 clerks and 64 carriers capable of handling over21,000 pieces of mail daily. The post office is dedicated to DebraSue Schatz, who had been killed while delivering the mail 15 yearsago. It serves the upscale Westchase District , between Gessner onthe east, Haynes on the west, Westpark on the south and BuffaloBayou on the north.