After six fast-moving months of “alpha” testing—hand-building newsletters, hunting down bugs, and collecting your candid feedback—Strolling Ballantyne is graduating to open beta. Here’s the quick rundown:
Who we are
- A small, scrappy team of Charlotte storytellers committed to slow, privacy-first local journalism.
- Backed by Strolling Ballantyne, the hyper-local outlet that spotlights the people, places, and pocket parks that make our corner of the Queen City tick.
What we’re launching today
- A cleaner site experience with no third-party trackers—ever.
- Self-serve business listings and white-glove storytelling packages for local merchants who miss the days when the neighborhood paper drove foot traffic.
Why it matters
- Newspapers once stitched Main Street and local buyers together; their disappearance left a costly gap for small businesses.
- SBCC closes that gap with first-party data, story-driven promotion, and a community that chooses to pay attention.
- Your participation keeps independent, ad-respectful journalism alive in Ballantyne—and keeps marketing dollars right here at home.
What’s next
- Beta = feedback. Kick the tires, then tell us what squeaks.
- New sections roll out weekly: civic briefings, event spotlights, and a directory of must-try local services curated by neighbors (maybe you!).
- Look for pop-up coffee chats—my favorite excuse to caffeinate at Einstein Bros. on Conlan Circle—and meet the team IRL.
Thank you for taking this ride from alpha to beta with us. Your clicks, comments, and occasional side-eye have shaped SBCC into something we’re proud to open to the wider community. Let’s keep building it—together.
— Ashley Grimm, Publisher
Quick Links
- đź”— About Us
- đź’Ľ Advertise with Us
- đź”’ Privacy Policy
- ✉️ Contact Us
- đź“ś Terms of Service
- 🗞️ Media Kit
