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ZIP code change arrives in July
By CHASE SQUIRES, Times Staff Writer ZEPHYRHILLS -- For thousands of Zephyrhills homes and businesses, the price of a stamp isn't the only thing that will change on their mail this summer. Their addresses also will be new. The U.S. Postal Service this week announced that effective July 1, the 13,283 postal customers in central Zephyrhills will be in a new ZIP code: 33542. That means many residents in the 33540 and 33541 areas need to notify friends and relatives and the companies they do business with. And businesses will need to order new stationery and business cards. "It's horribly inconvenient," said Eric Hilferding, owner of Shirts & Caps in downtown Zephyrhills. Postal Service spokesman Gary Sawtelle said the change is a product of growth. "There are only so many addresses that fit in a ZIP code," he said. But if there already was a 33540, 33541 and 33543, who had 33542? "We bank some ZIP codes," Sawtelle said. "We just set them aside until we need them. That's one of them." The affected area is centered around the middle of town. Addresses south of Daughtery Road, north and west of Chancey Road and east of Dean Dairy Road can expect a change. Many were notified this week in a letter from Tom Testa, who is in charge of the Zephyrhills Post Office. "We apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause," Testa wrote. "But we want you to understand that these changes are essential for us to bring you the kind of outstanding mail delivery you expect." In May, the Postal Service will provide everyone with the correct ZIP code. The new code can be used beginning June 1 and it becomes official July 1. Stamps go up from 34 cents to 37 cents at the same time. The U.S. Postal Service will continue to deliver mail with the old ZIP code for one year. Around town, business owners accepted the news as the cost of doing business. "Well, of course it's a little bit of an irritation," said Ernestine Whitfield of Whitfield Funeral Home. "Hey, it will give us an excuse to get new stationery." "We've done this before," State Farm insurance agent Elaine Reigler said. "It's basically a common occurrence in Florida now." And even Hilferding saw a bright side. His company will do a brisk business in printing shirts, caps and business cards with the new address for other affected companies, he said. "The inconvenience will be balanced by the benefit."
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