New business spotlight on Pony Express Pack and Ship

MUNCY - At the Pony Express Pack and Ship you can send packages, print fliers, even drop off your cleaning.

"Shipping is the main business," said Tamara Downey, who owns and operates the newly opened business in the Penn Hills Plaza near the Lycoming Mall.

Downey will pack items of any size and have them shipped by FedEx, ground service or DHL.

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MIKE?REUTHER.Sun-Gazette
Tamara Downey staffs the counter at Pony Express Pack and Ship with a friend.

She also does provides notary service and laminates, copies and prints documents and other materials.

A lot of truckers come in to the Pony Express fax service.

"Everyone I talk to says this is a good location," Downey said recently, while taking a break from her business, which opened in February.

Downey had long wanted to go into business for herself.

She knew a friend with a similar venture in the western part of the state and decided eventually to launch her own. Downey said the most challenging aspect of the business is getting the word out about it, but she likes the independence of being a business owner and the interaction with the customers.

Customers waiting on services can take time to browse among the various gifts at Pony Express.

"Gifts are mostly local hand-made crafts," she said.

Some of the items include jewelry, candles, butterfly magnets, painted eggs, and other artwork.

A Pony Express rider greets customers across the front of the counter where Downey conducts business with patrons.

Her son, Ryan, 21, came up with the idea of the Express rider, and her mother, Drained Stahlnecker, actually painted it.

"Dad (Richard Stahlnecker) built the counter," she added.

Her business has an agreement with Faxon Cleaners whereby customers can drop off their items at the Pony Express.

"I have regular customers with that now," she said.

Afternoons are probably the busiest time for her.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday. Notary hours on Saturdays are by appointment.