by J. Brooks Terry
Staff Writer
In less than four months, the contract between Ziba’s Hair Salon on Hogan Street and the U.S. Postal Service — best described as awkward — has been terminated by the salon.
Joseph Breckenridge, a post office spokesperson, said the split was amicable, but sudden.
Ziba’s — the salon was the only business that offered to sign a contract with the Postal Service after its lease expired in the old federal courthouse in June — was the first business of its kind to to double as a Postal Contract Unit.
“[Ziba’s] was having problems from the beginning and it just wasn’t clicking,” said Breckenridge, adding postal representatives were “skeptical” of the unlikely union from the beginning. “They worked hard, and they really tried, but it came down to them making demands and having expectations that couldn’t be met.”
Breckenridge said it was “unfortunate” the U.S. Courthouse at Jacksonville made no provisions to include a Postal Contract Unit.
“We were never in their plans,” he said.
According to Breckenridge, Ziba’s wanted more money to stay in the postal partnership.
By taking a percentage of the projected generated revenue and post office box rental fees, the salon’s contract with the Postal Service was valued at approximately $70,000.
“In all honesty, business started to drop once the boxes were moved from the courthouse,” said Breckenridge. “But we were actually making additional payments to bring the numbers a little closer to what we originally thought they would be. We really can’t do much more than that.”
In addition to wanting a bigger cut, Ziba’s also wanted more participation from postal employees.
“We understand that it is very difficult to learn how to sort mail and there is tremendous pressure there,” he said. “As I understand it, there was some confusion and they were becoming frustrated.
“In the end they came to us and said they wanted us to take over the operation completely, but we weren’t going to do that. It’s not our building. It’s not our space.
“The Postal Service is a very big institution and we couldn’t negotiate with those terms. Technically they can’t opt out of the contract, but what are we going to do? We can’t operate in someone else’s space.”
Ziba’s owners, Mona Ferdosian and Mo Kamiam, declined comment on the move.
Though only speculative, Breckenridge said no further legal action would likely be taken by either side.
“I can’t really comment beyond that,” he said. “I would hope not.”
Further adding to the strained relationship between the Ziba’s, the Postal Service and the public, was the “cramped space” and apparent lack of American Disabilities Act compliance.
“We would get complaints from time to time and people would repeatedly say that there was insufficient access,” said Breckenridge. “That was just another thing to consider.”
“We all hoped for the best and I know Ziba’s wanted it to work, but it’s a shame. I’ve been with the Postal Service for 28 years and almost all of our contracted partnerships are successful,” said Breckenridge.
In the meantime, the post office boxes and postal retail counter have been moved to the Jacksonville General Mail Center, 1100 Kings Rd. Breckenridge said customers will have access to their mail 24 hours a day.
“We’re trying to make the best of awkward situation while we evaluate our other options,” he said. “I can’t really say what we’re going to do, but we’re in the talking stages with a few people right now. We’d like to get something signed as soon as possible.”
Though nothing beyond an “informal offer,” mayor’s office spokesperson Susie Wiles said the Postal Service is a “preferred tenant” in the retail space of the new main library’s parking garage. However, the structure won’t be complete until summer 2004.
“We know they have budget restraints that make it more attractive to go into an existing business,” said Wiles, “but we’ve let them know they have a standing offer to be a tenant of the City.”