Member News

Dave and Julie Osborne took a chance buying into The UPS Store franchise in 2011.

   “We opened in the middle of a recession,” Julie stated. “But we’ve seen steady growth every year.”

   Before the husband-and-wife team opened the store in January of 2012, they did their research, looking into various franchises to determine which would be the best fit for both their family and for the Lebanon Valley community.

   “We were just looking at investments,” Dave explained, “looking at what businesses Lebanon could use and what had the least competition.”

   The UPS Store, not to be confused with UPS, is an indirect subsidiary of UPS. Dave and Julie received training through UPS, but their store and UPS remain two separate entities. The UPS Store is completely locally-owned and operated by the Osbornes, and it is the only UPS Store in Lebanon.

   The Osbornes serve as the perfect family team, employing their son, Alex, part-time at the store and divvying up the numerous services that The UPS Store provides. When people hear the term “UPS,” they tend to just think of shipping. Shipping is, in fact, the store’s most prevalent service requested. They can ship ground, air, international, and freight, and even offer direct mailing for individual businesses.

   “December is the craziest time at the store,” Julie explained. “Everyone wants to send their presents and holiday mail to make sure it gets to their loved ones on time. During the week, Mondays are the busiest because businesses want to get everything out.”

   What’s the oddest think that the Osbornes ever had to ship for a customer? Dave commented that they get strange requests all day, but the most memorable was when a customer came in with a taxidermic black bear they wanted to ship.

   Dave and Julie do have one piece of advice for customers looking to ship items. Julie said that when people sell items using eBay, they fail to take into account shipping costs they will have to pay in order to send them. Julie recommended that before individuals list items on eBay, they come or call into the store to get an estimated shipping cost so that they can adjust their pricing accordingly.

   Because of their affiliation with UPS, The UPS Store is able to offer the best shipping rates possible. The UPS Store also has the added advantage of being the preferred shipper for UPS. The Lebanon store is the last pick-up in town for anyone rushing to send out any mail or packages. The UPS Store is also covered under UPS’s “Pack & Ship Guarantee,” which covers any claim and reimburses shipping and packaging.

   But, The UPS Store offers so much more than just mailing and packaging. The Osborne’s store offers a variety of printing solutions, including everything and anything from indoor/outdoor banners, to fliers, brochures, newsletters, presentations, and business cards. If an individual or business does not have artwork readily available for printing, Julie will work with them to create a custom design to ensure that the banners, menus, table tents, or signs look as attractive as possible.

   Document finishing is also offered, including binding, laminating, folding, and collating. This past Christmas, Julie designed custom holiday gallery wraps to sell at the store which consisted of prints on canvas stretched over a frame. You name it, and The UPS Store can print it. Online printing is available through www.upsstoreprint.com/6265, making ordering and buying items an easy, streamlined process.

   In addition to printing services, the UPS Store rents out private mailboxes for individuals who may not want to use their home address, but who want a real street address rather than a PO Box where they can receive mail. Mailbox rental includes special features such as package and mail receipt notifications, call-in MailCheck, mail holding and forwarding, and package acceptance from all carriers.

   Besides printing, shipping and mailbox rentals, The UPS Store has a number of other miscellaneous services they offer. Dave is certified to provide notary services to the public. Individuals who need to fax or scan documents can come into The UPS Store to send or receive whatever forms or letters they require. Passport/ID photo services, shredding, live scan/digital fingerprinting, and office products and supplies are readily accessible at The UPS Store.

   The UPS Store has been a member of the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce since it opened in 2012. The Chamber took part in the store’s grand opening. Julie specifically remembers going to a New Member Connect session where she was able to speak and present information for the store. The UPS Store also sponsored a luncheon through the Chamber. Julie likewise is a member of various Chamber committees, allowing her to network and form connections with other area business people.

   “The most challenging part of opening a business was the ramp-up time,” Julie explained. “When you start a business, you have to accept the challenge of letting people know you’re here, which is something that the Chamber can help with. You can’t just hang out a sign and expect people to walk in. You have to market.”

   The Osbornes also joined the Chamber in order to show their support for other local business owners and to support local services. Julie said that now after joining the Chamber, she’s more apt to stop and think about utilizing the services of a locally-owned business over a national corporation.

   In 2015, the Osbornes are looking to expand their mailbox rental services and freight business at their store. The UPS Store is located at 1040 W. Crestview Drive in Lebanon, which is in the Lebanon Plaza by Kohl’s. Dave and Julie can be contacted by phone at 717-277-5479 or by email at store6265@theupsstore.com. Additional information is also available on their website at www.theupsstorelocal.com/6265.