If you wanted service from Canada Post at the Orillia post office on Peter Street today, you were out of luck today as it was unexpectedly closed.
Person after person tried one, two, three doors, looked in windows and looked for the neon OPEN sign only to discover it was unlit.
Even a mail carrier couldn't get in the front door, but was able to access a side door as people were working in the facility, but not at the service desk.
Kathi Kerr, of Orillia, came to the post office over the noon hour, parked on Peter Street and went to the door to find it was locked.
"I think it is very poor of the government to close a government facility. They are closed enough — they need to be open on regular business hours. If they don't have enough staff, hire some staff," said Kerr.
"Call your MP ... This is not acceptable to Canadians," she said.
John Waldon tried all three doors. He wanted to purchase American stamps and mail some letters.
"I'm speechless," he said.
With several signs on the glass doors, it takes a minute to find the one that reads "To our valued customers. Our retail office will be closed today due to staff issues. Sorry for any inconvenience. Canada Post."
Upon phoning the Orillia Post Office, callers are told the message box is full and to try back later.
"We had to exceptionally close the office today due to unforeseen staffing issues," said Valérie Chartrand with Canada Post. "As a quick measure to inform our customers we did put signage on the door noting the temporary measure.
"We apologize to our customers for this temporary inconvenience and look forward to serving them again when the post office reopens on Monday with regular hours," Chartrand said.