LAPLACE - When the prospect for further success stared him in the face, Raymond Arnone seized the opportunity aggressively.

While working diligently as operator of the Hammond location of the UPS Store, Arnone monitored the progress and operations of the franchise's LaPlace location. When he discovered the owners were looking to sell the franchise off, Arnone swooped in and purchased the store, which he has owned and operated since July 2007.

“In the five years I spent in Hammond, I watched the performance of the Laplace location,” said Arnone. “When the owners bailed out, I knew it would be a good opportunity to see what I could do here, so I went and got it.” Arnone said his initial plan with the store was to start out slow and re-establish the UPS brand with LaPlace customers. He explained he had to do a bit of damage control in an effort to inform regular customers that he would be in it for the long haul.

“I know how to make the store work efficiently,” said Arnone. “I wanted the community to know that I would be here to stay.”

Arnone said his first and most important step was to provide quality customer service to each customer who walks through the door.

“Showing customers that they are valued is critical,” said Arnone. “Without it, we shoot ourselves in the foot.”

Like all UPS Store locations, Arnone's store offers full service packing and shipping along with mailbox and postal service. He said customers can also come in for copying, finishing, printing, and faxing needs. Arnone said he plans to also add services for money orders and money transfers in the future.

Arnone said business has been relatively slow since he took over. He said the shipping volume for LaPlace is not nearly as high as it was for him in Hammond. He is hoping to get a big boost from the busy holiday season that is just around the corner.

Despite slow business, which Arnone attributes to people not realizing the store is back open, in the four months he has been in LaPlace, he said he has felt completely welcomed by the entire community of St. John Parish, even though he's not exactly from the area.

“I live in Tickfaw, and have worked in Hammond, but I still feel like I am a true part of the community here,” said Arnone. “I really don't feel like an outsider.”

The UPS Store is located at 140 Belle Terre Rd. in LaPlace. Operating hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.