For many people, shipping packages on the north end of Milledgeville can be difficult. A local business owner saw the need for an option on the north side and decided to offer that option.

Andy Patel has opened The UPS store in the Kroger Shopping Center on North Columbia Street in Milledgeville. Earlier this week friends, family, co-workers and Milledgeville Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce members and ambassadors met to officially welcome Patel and The UPS Store to the community.

“What a wonderful opportunity, and what a wonderful store,” Chamber president Tara Peters said.

The UPS store’s business hours are 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The store is also open on Saturdays.

“We have a wide variety of services,” Patel said.

The UPS Store offers shipping supplies, mailbox rentals, printing services, 24-hour color copying service, notary services, passport services, online printing and, of course, UPS shipping services.

“I know for a long time, people were chasing the big brown truck,” Patel said, referring to the popular UPS advertising campaign and the company’s familiar delivery trucks. “You don’t have to do that anymore.”

Milledgeville Mayor Richard Bentley said he is proud to welcome the business to the community.

“These days, anytime you cut a ribbon it’s a good thing,” Bentley said.

Access to the mailboxes and self-service copiers will be 24-hours, seven days a week.

Patel, who also owns Gil’s package store on North Columbia Street, said he was thankful for the support from the local business community.

“We are thrilled to have you open another business,” Chamber ambassador Terry Kennedy said.

For more information, call The UPS store at (478) 804-0134.