After 5 years, INSTORE’s still smokin’ ? I’m not

AN ADMISSION: this is a little bit of weird month for me. A recent physical examination confirmed to me that over the past few years I’ve spent a little too much time being a chain-smoking, keyboard-hovering magazine nerd and not quite enough time looking after my health. So I gave up cigarettes a few weeks ago and while, physically, I feel great (incredibly, astoundingly, mind-blowingly great!), mentally, I’m finding that when requesting any word longer than three syllables from my brain, my mind instantly crosses its arms and taps one foot, waiting for a cigarette. 

Which won’t ever be coming again.  

So instead of the sage, suave, charmingly-thankful-yet-humble words with which I had intended to introduce our latest award (see Page 12) and this semi-milestone issue (hey, we’ve been at this for five whole years, people!), you’ll be getting something a bit different and probably much less articulate.  

Basically, I’d just like to thank all of you for being such an important part of something pretty special. I’ve worked in a lot of places and positions in my career ? but I’ve never worked on a publication that has the kind of relationship with its readers that INSTORE does.  

You guys aren’t merely our fans and supporters. You’re also this publication’s most important contributors and its primary inspiration. (Imagine my voice descending to a dramatic whisper at this point.) The fact is, you are this publication. And this publication is you ? or at the very least, the very best approximation of your desires and dreams we can muster. Let’s celebrate together! 

Wishing you the very best business …

David Squires  
Executive Editor and Associate Publisher  
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