After months of COVID-19 related delays, the UPS Store located inside MedSource Pharmacy on Vernon Avenue announced its opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“On behalf of MedSource and the UPS Store, we thank you for coming out,” said Justin Ange, operations manager at MedSource Pharmacy, speaking to a small crowd.

The UPS Store hopes to help individuals and small businesses by offering a wide range of products and services. With a fully trained staff that has trained in different UPS Stores throughout the country and state, the UPS Store will offer a variety of printing and shipping services. They will also have mailboxes with a real street address that will accept packages from all shipping carriers and provide mail receipt notifications.

“We have an excellent staff that have been with us for quite some time,” said Ange.

Originally set to open in April of 2020, the UPS Store saves customers the trip to another city to send and receive packages. Kinston’s UPS store is the first UPS Store within a store in North Carolina.

“The synergy that brings is really something special,” Ange said of the store-in-store concept, a practice he’s utilized in other locations.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by members of the Kinston City Council, as well as by a representative of the state. Ange cut the red ribbon with giant shears.

“We have an opportunity to pause for a moment and welcome a new business to town,” said Craig Hill, director of the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce.

The UPS Store joins other new businesses in Kinston to replace the few that have closed due to COVID.

“Congratulations to Justin and the family,” said Representative Chris Humphrey. “We are glad to have you here. This is a great way to celebrate.”