Sidewalk denizens stood dazed and confused outside of Norwood’s suddenly shuttered Mosholu Station post office at 3445 Jerome Ave. this week. Four fliers taped to the location’s security screen informed them of the post office’s temporary closure, made necessary due to “structural damage” that required immediate repair.

The announcements said the post office would remain closed for approximately six months and urged customers to use surrounding post offices, such as the Van Cott Station (3102 Decatur Ave.), the Williamsbridge Station (711 E. Gun Hill Rd.) or the Botanical Station (2963 Webster Ave.). For stamps, customers were told to frequent the surrounding CVS, Ridgewood Savings Bank, and Stop & Shop locations.

Norwood residents and workers looking to pick up mail or send packages to loved ones were caught off guard by the post office’s sudden closing.

Dava Maiello couldn’t believe the office had been closed without any prior warning. “Get outta here,” she said as she read the fliers. “I’m really disappointed,” she continued. “It’s nice having it in the neighborhood. I heard nothing of it being closed.”

Pete Deluca walked up beside her. “You’re kidding me,” he said, adding that the post office was usually very convenient and fast with deliveries.

Just off the curb outside the office on Tuesday afternoon, two postal vans were parked to provide service to customers. One of the announcements on the security screen claimed the vans would offer stamps, envelopes, and small packages, but a handwritten note taped inside one of the van’s windows declared that no stamps or money orders were available. It also said no cash, credit cards or debit cards would be accepted, leaving doubts as to how customers would pay for anything. The other van sat vacant.

Arturo Aguila, who works at Montefiore Medical Center just around the corner from the post office, and Hiram Ayala, a Norwood resident, were nonplussed by the closure.

“Convenience-wise, yeah, it’s a problem,” said Aguila, who usually walks around the corner to the office during his lunch breaks. “I’ve got to go to [one of the other offices] now, a long walk,” he continued.

Both men speculated as to the source of the building’s “structural damage.” “There was a lot of rain, a lot of snow,” said Ayala, suggesting the winter’s inclement weather had beaten away at the Jerome Avenue station. Aguila agreed. “They probably never fixed the roof,” he said.

A postal service employee manning one of the vans declined to comment on what had happened. Representatives for the post office or the city’s Buildings Department could not be reached for comment by press time.