NBO celebrates new location

NEWBERRY — The Newberry Observer celebrated moving to 1216 Main Street with a ribbon cutting on Nov. 12. During the celebration, roughly 70 people were in attendance.

“We want to mention what great friends, business colleagues that The Newberry Observer, and all the folks here that are employed by The Observer, are. They are just part of the community, they are part of the Chamber, they’re just good people and even though that was a really cool building, it’s nice to have their personalities right here in downtown Newberry. I’m glad for that,” said Michelle Long, executive director of the Newberry County Chamber of Commerce.

Mayor Foster Senn congratulated The Observer, and said it is important that a city, community and county has a good newspaper, a community newspaper.

“It shows the support The Newberry Observer and appreciation we have for the paper, on this turnout. This is great, this is a beautiful building,” Senn said. “Andrew and I determined today, The Newberry Observer was founded in 1883, we believe it is the oldest business in Newberry. That is a lot to be proud of, at the same time though, I think y’all are the newest. Most of us sell the same product ever week, y’all have a new product every week.

“1883, you’re the oldest, but come Wednesday, you’ll have a new product and I think that’s kind of neat. You all can be proud of that and we are proud of The Observer.”

Senn also discussed the historical significance of The Observer moving downtown, or rather back downtown.

“The Newberry Observer started downtown, I talked to Jim Clamp today, he said your predecessor started near Central Methodist Church and for a long time y’all were in what is now Cabana Café — he delivered papers out of there starting in 1941. You’re right back here in downtown proper, I call it,” Senn said. “We are excited for The Observer. From the City of Newberry, congratulations and we look forward to continued success of The Observer.”

Also in attendance during the ribbon cutting were Jen Madden and Randall Savely, co-executive directors of the South Carolina Press Association.

“We are super excited to be here, we love that you guys are staying on Main Street. One thing we’ve said over the past several years, we are not mainstream media, we are Main Street media. This newspaper is covering this community like no one else is, that is vital. You can look around the room and see all of the awards and all you’ve done. We love supporting you and we are so proud of the work that y’all do. We hope your community joins in being thankful for what your team does every week and what you do online,” said Madden.

Andy Husk, publisher of The Observer, thanked everyone for attending on behalf of his staff.

“A lot of you, besides the people who work here, have written a column at one point or time for us. I cannot say how much we appreciate that, at least 20 of you in the room have written for us. I really appreciate the community involvement in the paper,” he said. “We are super happy to be in the middle of downtown.”