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Greetings that push envelope away

A restaurant owner's concept puts labeled but unwrapped souvenirs in the mail.

By Paul Swider, Times Staff Writer
Published February 13, 2008

ST. PETE BEACH - The post office will be busy Thursday dealing with Valentine's Day greeting cards, but one restaurateur would like to fill your mailbox with flip-flops or coconuts, maybe a frog.

"Most people have no idea you can do this," said Terri Gileo, part owner of the Reef and also of Goofy Greetings, a spinoff selling souvenirs you mail, unwrapped, to your friends or family.

Gileo was visiting a shop near Marco Island last year and saw a display for mailing flip-flops. She sent one as a joke to her sister, who found the gag gift a delightful treat. So Gileo decided to make the service available to her customers.

Now, visitors to the Reef can choose from a coconut, a flip-flop, or any of a number of wall plaques in the shape of parrots or frogs or other animals. They write their address on the product and for as little as $7 can send a goofy greeting to some snowbound sister or frostbitten father.

"People come in and see this and go, 'Oh, wow,'" said Mike Anderson, Gileo's partner. The restaurant's regulars have become de facto sales people, he said, escorting newcomers from the bar to see the greetings display.

And it is perfectly legal, within limits, according to Gary Sawtelle, who handles public affairs out of the Tampa office of the U.S. Postal Service.

"On any given day we see a wide variety of mailable items in the mail stream to include live crickets, poultry, automobile tires and even coconuts," Sawtelle said in an e-mail.

"Generally speaking we advise customers to use sturdy containers, envelopes or other types of packaging to mail items."

The post office has guidelines on its Web site, which say you can generally mail anything unless it "may kill or injure another, or injure the mails or other property ..." Coconuts and flip- flops being typically nonthreatening are mailable. Restricted items include "live scorpions, poisonous drugs and medicines, poisons for scientific use, switchblade knives, firearms, motor vehicle master keys, locksmithing devices, and abortive and contraceptive devices."

Sawtelle said people looking to mail unwrapped items on their own should check first before mailing anything that might be considered dangerous. They can call toll-free, 1-800-275-8777.

But Gileo takes the hassle out of the process. She's only had the business open since the beginning of the year and not advertised it at all but is getting a steady stream of giddy customers.

"We've sent a lot of things to Canada and some to the UK," which costs extra, Gileo said. "But the other day I sent three to St. Pete."

Gileo will sell items people can mail themselves or that people simply like as souvenirs. She had a group of women recently who bought $100 worth of palm trees and fish to use for home decorating.

Gileo wants to expand the product line to include flamingoes and dolphins, but has yet to find anyone who can supply a manatee. She said the coconuts sell but flip-flops just aren't moving.

Though $7 or more seems like a lot, Gileo said her customers don't balk at all.

"These days, it costs you $3 to buy and send a greeting card," she said. "How fun is it to send this instead?"

Paul Swider can be reached at pswider@sptimes.com or 892-2271.

What can you send?

The USPS guidelines on mailability are at pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/601.htmbut the post office suggests that would-be mailers check first by calling, toll-free1-800-275-8777

The Reef is at 6712 Gulf Blvd.

[Last modified February 12, 2008, 23:22:50]