If practice makes perfect, New Canaan should be delighted to have resident Richard Carratu as owner of the property on which the much-hoped-for new Post Office in town will be built.

“My dad was a small real estate developer,” he told the Advertiser in an exclusive interview in the building currently on the 18 Locust Ave. site, which he purchased not long ago. “His first tenant was a Post Office in Nassau County. I was an accountant and took care of the records.

• The New Canaan Post Office saga

“I learned that the key with the Post Office is service. When they want something, they want it done quickly and they want it done right. So you need to maintain that mentality. My dad had a very successful relationship with the Post Office. They were great tenants.”

Carratu, a friendly, gregarious man, was speaking publicly about the Post Office opportunity for the first time. He said that he wanted to update New Canaanites, but stressed several times that the process, negotiations and details were sensitive, and that he needed to keep some things vague for the time being.

Nevertheless, he explained how he, his team and United States Postal Service executives, have managed to move things forward, and hopefully turn what has been a long-time goal—getting a new, permanent Post Office in New Canaan—into a reality.

It all began quite innocently.

Carratu has lived in New Canaan with his wife, Margaret, and sons David, 17, and Christopher, 13, for 13 years. Currently working in New York for a middle-market lending company, he has a business degree from Columbia University and was previously employed at Coopers & Lybrand and G.E. Capital.

“I was simply looking to invest some funds,” he said. “I was walking my dog and there was a ‘For Rent’ sign on this building. I thought maybe I could buy it, rent it out and generate some income. That was in April of last year.

“I met the owner. What I liked was that it had 12 parking spots. I found out that Coldwell Banker had been a tenant, and that the first floor had been grandfathered by the town to be an office, so I thought it would be great for a law firm, doctor’s office or what have you.”

He would buy 18 Locust Ave. for $1.25 million. Margaret put the Post Office idea into Richard’s head.

“She reads the Advertiser every week and told me that they were looking for a location,” he said. “I called up (First Selectman) Rob Mallozzi. I asked him what he thought about Locust Ave. being the site for the Post Office. He said it could work.”

Knowing he would need a bigger building lot, Carratu approached the owner of neighboring 26 Locust Ave., a large parcel which includes Carpe Diem restaurant. Eventually they would strike a deal with two contingencies.

“One is that the Post Office sign a lease, and the other is that the town approve the building,” said Carratu. “As soon as we get the lease and approval, we can close on 26 Locust Ave.”

Carratu next had Mallozzi refer him to the Post Office’s real estate people. His property was put on the list for their consideration. Then in October he got a call that his location was being seriously considered.

Next came putting site plans together for the Post Office’s review. “We started to work on all that. My vision was to build something that is similar to Town Hall, a Federal-style brick building. I want to also give my team credit. It includes contractor Rick Sillo of Sillo Construction, who was a major help. And Jim Schettino and Phil Summers of Schettino Architects, and lawyer Mike Sweeney.

“The Post Office came and looked at my preliminary drawings. But there was a lot to do, negotiate and so forth.”

Carratu met with USPS experts in engineering, business and real estate. “A lot of folks,” he said.

Coming to terms on a lease was next. A 10-year term was agreed to. Regarding rent, “we’ve come to business terms but nothing is signed,” explained Carratu.

Next is a New Canaan Planning & Zoning meeting this Tuesday, April 28, where building plans will be presented and some modifications to existing issues sought. “It’ll probably extend to another meeting after that,” said Carratu. “We understand this is a big deal for the town and want to be totally transparent, make sure everyone is happy.”

As for the building itself, it is planned to be a two-story structure with about 8,200 square feet, the Post Office on the first floor and commercial businesses on the second floor.

“The goal is to hopefully have the Post Office here and open next March or April,” said Carratu. “We’re all working hard on it.”