‘She’s a Delight’ Melissa Lomax has Made Many Friends in Her 10 Years as Avalon Postmaster

The clerk working the counter in the Avalon Post Office steps away momentarily to hand a special parcel to Avalon Postmaster Melissa Lomax. After explaining to her who left the package, he adds, “She was very appreciative.”

Lomax looks down, nods with a smile and places the plastic container labeled “Zucchini Bread” on a nearby work counter and says, “This will be for the team to share.” Just an average day in a Seven Mile Beach post office?

Pretty much. While so much has changed on the island, both the Avalon and Stone Harbor post offices are still places where locals tend to gather – not just to check their post office boxes, pick up postage stamps, and mail cards and letters, but to catch up with neighbors or just have a midday chat with friends.

The personnel behind the counters are busy keeping the mail moving. But for many of the customers on the other side of the counter, the pace is just a bit slower.

“It’s part of my day that I look forward to,” says one customer who describes herself as a lifelong visitor to Avalon. “They are so busy here. But they always find time to greet me by name. And with a smile. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.”

Although she’d never admit it, at least some of the credit for the homey feel needs to go to Lomax, who recently marked her 10th anniversary overseeing the postal operations in Avalon. A decade in Avalon has given her the ability to learn names of her customers, as well as their addresses and special needs.

“We take pride in offering high levels of customer service,” Lomax says. “Every interaction that we have with a postal customer is important.”

Avalon has been fortunate that historically, many of their postmasters have had long assignments and have incorporated themselves into the fabric of the community.

“I love her,” says Jacquie Ewing, an Avalon resident and owner of Armadillo, Ltd. “Melissa always makes time to accommodate you – sometimes beyond what I would reasonably expect. Because of that, we do all our shipping with the Avalon Post Office. Melissa and her staff are absolutely the best.”

Lomax’s passion for the post office might be traced to her youth in nearby Clermont.

Melissa Lomax with her family during a 2021 vacation. From left, Melissa, Sawyer, Sofia and husband Peter.

“I can still remember the excitement that letters in the mailbox and the written word brought me as a child,” she says. “So now, to have a role in providing this service to so many, I really consider it a privilege.”

Her path to postmaster wasn’t always easy. She began her career as a mail carrier in Somers Point soon after graduating from Wildwood Catholic High School. She continued serving in that capacity while also earning a degree from Stockton and raising a family.

Her ambition and drive must have been obvious to her superiors because soon opportunities became available for her to train for higher-level positions. Her initial training took place in Whitesboro and Cape May Point, where she learned the many responsibilities of running a post office as postmaster. She assumed the position here in Avalon as postmaster in 2012. Her job presents a unique set of challenges that vary from day to day.

“I try to stay focused on the diverse facets of my job: delivery, communications, retail sales, community service, public relations and office management,” she says.

The Avalon postmasters who came before her left big shoes to fill, as they also had ingrained themselves into the community. But Melissa’s philosophy is refreshing. “It’s all in a day’s work,” she says with a smile.

Obviously, she’s found the secret at the Avalon Post Office.

“Melissa?” says one customer. “She’s a delight!”