Providence Phoenix to close

(Updated, 5:30 p.m.)
PROVIDENCE – The Providence Phoenix will cease publication next week.
The announcement was made Thursday afternoon by Stephen Mindich, Phoenix Media/Communications Group owner and publisher.
The 36-year-old alternative news and arts weekly’s last issue will be distributed Oct. 16.
“It is unquestionably sad to see the Providence Phoenix cease publishing and realizing the void it will leave,” Phoenix Media/Communications Group Chief Operating Officer Everett Finkelstein said in a statement.
“I’m, however, somewhat gratified, knowing we’ve left an indelible mark on our loyal readers who for 36 years have turned to us for our unique coverage of the rich culture, politics and lifestyles of our community. But the unhappy reality of today’s media world is that the continual shrinkage of print advertising revenue and the increasing costs of producing an award-winning newspaper such as the Providence Phoenix made this no longer economically viable.”
The Providence Phoenix’s Farewell Issue will look back at the paper’s history, with comments from past writers, editors and others. The issue will also include a portfolio of longtime Phoenix photographer Richard McCaffrey’s best shots and more.
Mindich’s statement to staff about the decision to shutter the Providence Phoenix reads in part:
“About a year and a half ago when the decision to shutter the Boston Phoenix was made, it was my deep desire to keep publishing the Providence Phoenix and keep its extraordinary legacy alive.
“Sadly, after making massive budgetary adjustments in order to trim the costs of operations to a level where we could at least financially break-even, while also ensuring we could keep the paper’s editorial quality at the exceptional level we all demanded – the raw reality of continued losses month after month finally had to be confronted. After an enormous amount of analysis looking for resolutions and growth opportunities, along with profound personal soul-searching, I have made the difficult decision that the time has come to close the Providence Phoenix.”
“When the final issue is put to bed, printed and distributed, and we thank our many readers and advertisers, the city of Providence, and the state of Rhode Island – we do so with great pride in knowing that during the decades we have been here we made a difference, and for that we should all be truly proud,” he continued.
Finkelstein said a final decision has not yet been made as to whether the paper will maintain an online presence, but he said it is unlikely.
In addition, Finkelstein said that Phoenix Media was in negotiations to sell the Portland Phoenix, which it has published since 1999, to its current manager.

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