Down East 2013 ©
If you haven’t visited the Portland International Jetport in the past six months, you are in for a surprise. As we reported in December, Maine’s busiest airport more than tripled in size over the winter. The expansion reflects the rise of Greater Portland as an urban center, and the changes at the terminal go well beyond the cosmetic.
Here’s one of the things you’re going to notice: At the base of the escalators leading to and from security is a new store selling books, magazines, and other necessities for the Maine traveler. It is called the Down East Marketplace — just look for the five-foot tall video version of this month’s cover.
When airport designers began sketching concepts for the Jetport, they decided the entire building should have a stronger “Maine” feel to it; they wanted visitors to know that they had arrived in a beautiful destination with its own distinct culture and heritage. One of the brands they chose to represent the essence of Maine was Down East. To say we were honored pretty much defines “understatement” for me.
The Down East Marketplace marks our first real foray into the world of retail. You’ll find our publications, of course. But you’ll also experience Down East’s growing multimedia presence in a couple of cool new ways. At our iPad kiosk you can while away the time playing with our new “Experience Maine” app. The interactive program (which will soon be available at other locations, as well as on iTunes and Google Play) showcases fifty of the most gorgeous destinations in the Pine Tree State, from the Jordan Pond House to the Marginal Way to Baxter State Park. Or you can hang out and watch the new Down East TV Channel on two hi-def TVs. We’re profiling Maine’s most fascinating people and successful businesses; highlighting some of the great events happening this summer; and introducing viewers to places that belong on every Maine traveler’s must-see list.
In a way, the opening of the Jetport store represents a moment of takeoff for Down East. From magazines to mobile apps, video to books to the Web — we’re aiming to bring Maine to you no matter where you are. You could say we’ve been doing that since our first issue in 1954. But it pays to keep up with the times.
Paul Doiron
Editor in Chief
editorial@downeast.com