Our journey begins

Wow. What an incredible 72 hours.

When we decided to marry a print publication to NewOldNorth.com, we had only one goal — to “go big or go home.” Quality is what we felt this community deserved.

So, we set our sights on an oversized full-color magazine — a product that would feel as good in your hands as it looked as you flipped through the pages. We paid attention to every detail, all the way down to the weight of the paper.

And we trusted that, if we delivered quality content, if we made a substantial investment so we could go all the way and never look back, the community would support Eastbound & Downtown.

Still, the reception to our debut edition, “Spirit,” has been both overwhelming and humbling.

Nearly 100 local merchants have welcomed us into their businesses and are encouraging their patrons to take copies home to enjoy.

The city and county governments and the school system have embraced us, too — offering feedback that leads us to believe those 44 pages accomplished their mission of reflecting the very best of a county that is beginning to realize its full potential.

Readers have shared heartwarming responses to stories about the rebirth of Goldsboro High School’s Mighty Marching Cougar Band, award-winning baker Lori Edwards and the thriving Eastern Wayne High School JROTC program.

And with every distribution point we have added and restocked since we began passing out magazines late Wednesday evening, your smiles — and your ideas for the future of our product — have energized us, further motivating our team to work to ensure each edition is better than the last.

This magazine is a community publication. It belongs to you. These are your triumphs, your sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, neighbors and heroes in between its covers. That is why we are giving it away. The story of Wayne County belongs to all of us.

So, we vow to remain just that — just as big, just as rich in content, just as free as we are right now … for as long as you’ll have us.

For those of you who have not yet picked up a copy, we invite you to do so. You can find us inside one of the businesses listed below. And please, while you are there, thank our advertisers for helping make our debut possible.

They, too, took a leap a faith. They, too, felt the community deserved more than just words thrown onto a page — or a book so full of advertising that quality suffered. We are proud that they joined us on our maiden voyage.

Our advertisers and distribution points include:

Labrar

Brisas

Downtown Pharmacy

Bicycle World

Fat Cat Music and Sound

Casa Bella

Southern Rebel

Carolina Pine

Premiere Cuts

Mimi’s Boutique

Darwin’s Screen Printing

City Hall

Rico’s Tacos

Skin Therapy

Laughing Owl

Vail House

Brewmasters

Save More

The Arts Council of Wayne County

The Downtown Goldsboro Development Corporation

Billy Strickland

Rye

UniFirst

LaPaz

Impress Me

Party Creations

Talk Time Wireless

Great Harvest Bread Co.

The Loft

Dream Makers

Charles B. Aycock High School

Goldsboro High School

Eastern Wayne High School

King Tiger Academy

Doughboy’s Pizzeria

Southern Sass Salon

Stay Sweet

Val’s Hairport

Panache Nails & Spa

P.T.’s Grille

Ninja Hibachi Express (Wayne Memorial Drive)

Fresenius Medical Care

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices McMillen and Associates Realty

Mayor Chuck Allen

Arnold Jones II, Broker Associate

Silver Real Estate

District 3 City Council candidate Taj Polack

N.C. Senator Jim Perry

N.C. House Majority Leader John Bell

Casey Garden Center

Dee’s Diner

Highway 55 (Mount Olive)

Fit4Life Health Club

Pro Turf Lawn & Garden Center

Rosewood Pharmacy

J.P.’s Embroidery

Studio 21 Hair Design

Goshen Medical Center

Tony’s Muffler Shop

Goldsboro Veterinary Hospital

N.C. Sounds & Security

Carolina Overhead Doors

Biosymmetry

Western Wayne Medical Center

Pizza Hut (Mount Olive)

SpeakerWorks

Norma’s Boutique

Best Used Cars (Mount Olive)

Jackson and Sons

Sasser Golf Cars

Barnes Jewelers

Eyemart Express

From the Heart

K&B Pools and Spas

Berkeley Mall

Jewelry Care

Premiere Carpet

Atlantic Eye Center

Penny Cleaners

Goldsboro Family YMCA

Lantern Inn

Kathy’s Kitchen

As more distribution points are added, we will continue to update you here and on our Facebook page. And look for us in your neighborhood — and at some community events — in the coming days. We’re just getting started and are excited about the next steps of our journey. Come along for the ride.