Local Business Focus: Dayton Pack and Post
The Dayton area is growing before our eyes. With hundreds of homes and new shops planned for the coming years, current business owners would be wise to start planning for increased foot traffic. Hazel and Shane Koch recognized that change is coming and decided to create a new business that would fill a void and help their neighbors. Dayton Pack and Post officially opened its doors last Friday, Aug. 29 at 9 Retail Rd. #6, near Smith’s.
The idea for the business was born not in a boardroom or during a market analysis but right in the Koch’s living room last Christmas.
“My husband has a lot of business at Christmas time, it’s always a busy time of year for us,” Hazel explained. “We have about 50 clients that we send care packages so for packaging, my whole living room is a mess.”
The duo also noted that anytime they had to ship through UPS, FedEx, DHL and Amazon, they were having to trek into Carson City to handle it. With Shane’s attention to detail, their experience in customer service and our growing community needing reliable shipping methods, the Kochs knew they could serve Dayton in a bigger way.
“So I told him, ‘You know what? We should turn your knack of careful organization and customer care into a business.’ So that’s really when Dayton Pack and Post started,” Hazel remembered.
By April 2025, the Kochs were signing their first lease. Less than a year after the initial idea, the couple is now welcoming customers into their storefront. And they have accomplished this while working full time jobs.
Dayton Pack and Post will offer FedEx services starting Sept. 5 and is in the process of finalizing contracts with UPS and DHL. They will also be able to accept Amazon returns with labels in the near future, but for now, their partners at Louie's Ace Home Center in Dayton is still accepting Amazon returns. Note: If your returns require a QR code, you will still need to take those packages to UPS.
“It’s coming together, but there’s still some tweaking that needs to be done,” Hazel said.
The business is not just about shipping. Dayton Pack and Post is designed to be a one-stop resource for the community. They have more than 750 mailboxes for rent, eco-friendly packing materials, supplies, stamps, greeting cards, computer rental and basic printing, plus Hazel plans to offer notary services soon.
“My goal is to offer more personalized service for locals…hopefully a welcoming storefront and focus on community connections and community service,” Hazel clarified. “We envisioned a store that not only ships packages but builds trust, making every customer feel like a priority because they are.”
For September, the business is rolling out an introductory promotion.
“All new customers are going to have a lifetime discount $25 off their annual mailbox rental. That also comes with free copies, free notary, free faxing…I can also save their packages, especially when they’re on vacation for a week,” Hazel said.
Mailboxes can be rented for three, six, or twelve months, with the best value at the yearly rate. Hazel also hopes to expand into virtual mailbox services in the future.
The store is a true family-powered business – the couple’s three kids will be pitching in to cover shifts until they are able to hire a few more people to assist the two employees they currently have helping them hit the ground running.
From a spark of inspiration during a hectic holiday season to a grand opening less than a year later, Dayton Pack and Post represents the determination of a family who saw a need in their community and decided to fill it.
As Hazel summed it up, “We are ready to act, driven by God’s grace and driven by a belief that a business built on care, reliability, and hard work can flourish.”
Dayton Pack and Post will be open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., closed on Sunday.
