As more customers choose to conduct their postal business online, on their smart phones and at their favorite shopping destinations, the need for the U.S. Postal Service to maintain its nearly 32,000 retail offices diminishes. To that end, the U.S. Postal Service announced today that it will be taking the next step in streamlining its expansive retail network by conducting studies of approximately 3,700 retail offices to determine customer needs. As part of this effort, the Postal Service also introduced a retail-replacement option for affected communities around the nation.  The post office in Brookesmith, Texas is one post office that is among those listed as part of this initiative.

“Today, more than 35 percent of the Postal Service’s retail revenue comes from expanded access locations such as grocery stores, drug stores, office supply stores, retail chains, self-service kiosks, ATMs and usps.com, open 24/7,” said Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe. “Our customer’s habits have made it clear that they no longer require a physical post office to conduct most of their postal business.”

USPS says the alternative to retail locations in these areas will be the “Village Post Office,” operated by local businesses, which will provide basic post office services such as stamps and flat-rate packaging.

“By working with third-party retailers, we’re creating easier, more convenient access to our products and services when and where our customers want them,” Donahoe said. “The Village Post Office will offer another way for us to meet our customers’ needs.”

Officials at the USPS said that the postal service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations

For a full list of the Texas locations being considered for closure, click here.