The guide aims to give the residents of Parramatta the latest information about people, food, fashion and entertainment and contains a heap of giveaways, in the form of freebies and coupons for a number of local businesses in the region.
The inaugural August issue of the magazine, featuring model Chantal Wannenburg on the front cover, was well received by the locals, according to Sass editor, Abi Weeks.
“The response to the magazine has been fantastic. We’ve had so many calls from so many different people, all wanting to say something nice about the magazine. It’s good to know that people really appreciate what you’re doing,” says Weeks
Sass magazine is published and printed by Cumberland Newspapers, a division of Nationwide news Pty Ltd. As the first ‘glossy’ magazine published by the company, Weeks says the magazine fills a niche in an otherwise untouched Western Sydney marketplace.
“Parramatta has changed a lot over the years and we now have some of the best shopping, cafes, nightlife and entertainment in the area. There’s a whole new generation of young executives and professional people moving into Parramatta and they want to know where the hottest spots are, to go and relax and have some fun,” she says.
“What we’ve seen, is that these people aren’t really interested in a range of other guides that are meant for the CBD and outer metropolitan areas. They’re looking for something more, something closer to home, that can give them the information they need – and that’s where we come in,” says Weeks.
To give the magazine a local flavour, Weeks and her team have tried to incorporate as many pictures of local attractions and people as possible, bringing to life the history, colour and creativity of the Inner West’s riverside jewel.
Among the colourful pages of the inaugural August issue, are local faces and input from venues such as; ILatinDance, Face & Body Day Spa, The Roxy Hotel, El Phoenician restaraunt, Punjab Curry House,: to name but a few of the local attractions.
And it’s not all just about the businesses. This month, Sass’s ‘People’ section, introduces us to; Detective Superintendent Debora Wallace from the Cabramatta South East Asian Crime Squad, Emma TeRangi, the style director from Toni & Guy Salon in Parramatta and Napoleon Perdis, Founder and CEO of Napoleon Cosmetics.
“We don’t simply want to be about advertising,” says Weeks. “Parramatta is such a wonderful place, full of wonderful people.” “There’s so many interesting people doing interesting things, like working interesting jobs or working full time and then doing amazing feats in other aspects in their lives. We want to let people know about them,” she says.
Pictures of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta bus terminal, Church Street and other notable landmarks, also line the pages to help orientate readers about local history and places.
“We’ve tried to include as much of the environment as we can. It’s a beautiful city, with a great deal of history and it’s also important that we draw attention to some of this history and beauty,” says Weeks.
Sass will be distributed monthly at Parramatta train station, on buses and other transport facilities throughout Parramatta.
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