New option for UPS shipping customers in Juneau
- Laurie Craig
- Jan 23
- 2 min read
Franchise venture inspired by past Juneau resident frustrations, according to owner
By Laurie Craig
Juneau Independent
Sending and receiving packages became a little easier recently when a local couple opened a United Parcel Service store franchise on Industrial Boulevard.
Until last Friday, customers had a two-hour window five days per week to visit the UPS customer counter on Renshaw Way near the air cargo area at the Juneau International Airport. The customer service desk operated from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday until the corporate office announced about three weeks ago the service would cease. That on-site option ended Jan. 16.
Fortunately, another option was available. Six months ago, Honey and Mike Lundberg redesigned their existing formal wear and alterations store at 2490 Industrial Boulevard into an official UPS Store. As with other outlets for the national freight and delivery service, the Juneau store features package pickup and drop-off, returns, packaging supplies, notary service, shredding, printing and copying, plus a bank of rentable mailboxes. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. UPS continues to deliver packages throughout Juneau via recognizable brown trucks operated by the corporate entity.
When asked what inspired the decision to begin the new franchise venture in January 2025, Mike Lundberg said, “The same frustration that other customers faced.” He was referring to the limited hours at the venue by the airport. At that time, he and his wife, Honey, who operates the alterations and wedding/formal wear business, began remodeling the space into an open design with access for UPS store customers.
As with many customer interactions, UPS has automated its shipping business to be an online self-service process. Customers can log onto the national website, enter information to create a shipping label, print it at home, and affix it to the package. At the store kiosk, they scan the coded parcel, so it enters the tracking system and gets deposited into a receptacle. Customers on Wednesday spent less than five minutes dropping off items.
When things don’t go smoothly, however, the Lundbergs provide a personal human experience. A customer who mistakenly ordered items for U.S. postal office delivery received a phone call from the airport facility to pick up the misdirected package at the UPS store. Honey Lundberg also still rents tuxedos, wedding dresses and offers alterations. During the quiet time, she sewed.
While most shipping activities can be completed using the online forms, the UPS website also presents timely updates on tariffs, customs, and import regulations. Details have changed often during the past year based on federal proclamations about tariffs.
• Contact Laurie Craig at lauriec@juneauindependent.com.
