Inspired by other area magazines, businessman Gary Palmer is launching a magazine called Discover Local.
The target audience will be primarily tourists, he said. “With an emphasis on local services and retailers.”
“The idea came from other magazines like 417 Magazine, which covers all those in the (telephone) area code 417 (in southwest Missouri),” he said. “It talks about the goings-on in the region with a strong emphasis on entertainment and food and what people can enjoy.”
“It ties those who would be visiting to those locally that are providing services and opportunities to enjoy. It seems there is a void for something like this.”
“The whole idea behind this,” Palmer said. “I want this magazine to be beneficial to all parties involved. I personally feel that our community has an enormous amount of resources and a willingness to help others. This is just a visual way to pair our resources with those seeking to enjoy our community.”
There will be several local authors contributing to the magazine: Larry Gazzaway, Martha Scott, Jody Hoener and others he said.
And why not publish a magazine? Palmer is the owner of Captured Images, a photography business, and owns his own printer that will be publishing the magazine.
“We will be publishing this right here on Main Street,” Palmer said.
The magazine will have no subscription costs for readers but would be paid for by the advertisements that local businesses purchase.
“There may be a small postage charge if people would like us to mail it to them,” he said.
“The subscriptions for advertisers would be billed quarterly and range from $150 up,” Palmer said. “What is very unique about the magazine is we will be asking our advertisers to subscribe annually.
“An annual subscription will include a feature about the advertiser,” Palmer said. “If Capture Images buys one-half page for the year, for example, it would get a full page article at some point, featuring the business.”
There will be four publications annually.
The magazine would be placed in local hotels and the Tourism/Chamber of Commerce Office.
Captured Images Press is located at 118 S. Main and can be contacted at 223-5375.
“Our community needs something positive,” he said. “I hope this builds momentum.”