The line of less-than-ecstatic customers at St. Joseph’s motor vehicle license office next week will have a new place to realize they forgot their property tax receipts.

But they won’t be able to pick up designer jeans, Chinese take-out or diamond rings in the same stop anymore.

The license office at the East Hills Shopping Center permanently closes its doors at 5 p.m. today.

It’s all part of the preparations for the Monday opening of a new license office under the management of prominent St. Joseph attorney James Montee, who in July won the state contract.

The new office, which is located at 2319 N. Belt Highway next to Rod’s Hallmark, opens at 8:30 a.m. Monday.

In the four-day interim, three state field representatives, along with the current agent Matt Gerstner and his staff, will conduct an inventory of all license plates and tabs and then transport any state-owned equipment to the new office.

Still, the East Hills office kept busy Tuesday morning, with a steady stream of drivers funneling through the system. They stood, clutching paperwork silently as they watched red numbers on a black box change to indicate their turn. Only an occasional “Next” or “Did you have an inspection?” from the tellers broke the silence.

Most people livened up when they left the office, walking briskly down the softly lit mall corridor.

Jessica Bowen, 33, of St. Joseph, missed the days of the state-run license office in Downtown St. Joseph, which ended in June 2005, part of a cost-savings effort under Gov. Matt Blunt’s Republican administration.

“It was more convenient because you could walk across the street and get your tax receipt if you needed it,” she said with new license plates in hand.

On the other hand, she said, “There’s still a wait, but it seems a little quicker here.”

She waited in line 30 minutes.

That same wait time was too long for Gale Spicer, 69, of St. Joseph, who picked up plates for a new camper.

“East Hills is a little more convenient than Downtown because of the parking, but it’s just too slow,” Mr. Spicer said. “When you’ve got bad legs like I do, standing in line isn’t good.”

The bid states the new office will offer chair service for people who have difficulties standing in line, and Mr. Montee has said he aims to reduce overall wait times.

At the new office Tuesday, workers were busy with painting and other renovations.

“I hope this location proves to be more efficient, in the aesthetics of the office, as well as the services that the citizens receive,” said Ryan Williams, who is assisting Mr. Montee with the transition. “The big thing is the fact, especially for the elderly, they’re not going to have a long walk just to get through the mall anymore.”

The new St. Joseph office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and will be open every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Also, the office plans on offering extended hours the last five days of the month.

Management for the current agent, Mr. Gerstner, declined a News-Press interview Tuesday.

Alyson E. Raletz can be reached

at alysonraletz@npgco.com.