LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, Ohio - For the first time in five years, Liberty Township residents once again have a local post office and it's part of a growing trend to help the postal service save money.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the opening of the new post office inside the Giant Eagle at Church Hill Commons.

Getting a post office has been a goal of township leaders ever since the one in the administration building was closed in 2007.

"In working with the Cleveland representative of the post office, it took us a couple of years, but it's paying off for our community now," said township trustee Stan Nudel.

The postal service has been losing millions due in part to a steady decline in mail volume. It's hoping that working with retailers to offer mailing services alongside milk, bread and lottery tickets in can cut costs.

"I believe that this will be a model for the rest of the country because they are doing this more and more," said township trustee Jodi Stoyak.

It's almost like a throw-back to the days of the general store where townspeople would go for a variety of services.

"That's kind of a Giant Eagle concept that we've tried to do over the years, to be able to offer several different conveniences to our customers outside the normal grocery shopping experience," said store owner Bob Graff.

Huntington Bank is also preparing to open a banking office inside Giant Eagle.

The full service post office will be open six days a week and will be staffed by trained Giant Eagle employees.