LOWER LAKE, Calif. – Now when customers shop for groceries, they can add postage and postal products to their shopping list at the La Monarca Market at 16200 Main St., Lower Lake.

On Thursday, May 19, at noon, customers will be treated to a grand opening ceremony by store owner Juan Ramos Jr. and postal officials as this convenience store becomes a Village Post Office, or VPO.

La Monarca Market is a mini grocery store that sells groceries, produce, dry goods and select Mexican food dishes cooked at the store.

The Ramos family has owned the store for the past 11 years. “It will be nice to be able to give back to the community, a little of what they have given to the business,” said Ramos.

The store has convenient hours for postal customers because it is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. It is closed only on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Customers are able to purchase Forever stamps, drop off prepaid mail and packages and pick up Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes and envelopes.

The convenience for customers is that many VPOs offer expanded business hours, including Sundays and holidays.

Village Post Offices are normally located in non-Postal Service establishments – such as an existing community business, grocery stores and gas stations – and are run by someone other than an employee of the Postal Service.