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Wednesday, August 22, 2012
News Indy Weekly sold
Posted By Ana McKenzie on Wed, Aug 22, 2012 at 3:21 PM
The Indy Weekly, the Triangle's alternative weekly for 29 years, is being sold.
Owner Steve Schewel, president of Carolina Independent Pubilcations, announced Richard Meeker and Mark Zusman of Portland, Ore., will lead the paper in October.
Meeker and Zusman also own the City of Roses Newspaper Co., which publishes Willamette Week, Portland's alternative weekly. They also own the Santa Fe Reporter, an alternative weekly in New Mexico.
According to a press release published on Indy Weekly's website:
While Richard Meeker and Mark Zusman live in Portland, Meeker has an important and long-standing Triangle connection. He is the brother of former Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker. Richard Meeker’s father also lives in North Carolina, so he has traveled to the state frequently over many years.“I am thrilled that the new owners of the Independent will be Richard and Mark,” Schewel said. “This is the best possible landing place for the Indy. They do some of the best alternative journalism in the country. In 2005, one of their reporters at Willamette Week won the Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting, a unique achievement among weekly newspapers. They know how to run a profitable newsweekly, but at the same time they share our ideals for quality journalism and community service. I can’t think of anyone better to both maintain the Independent’s legacy and operate a small alt-media company well and profitably.”
Schewel said his company will retain ownership of the Hopscotch Music Festival. He also explained why, after 29 years, he's selling the Indy.
“The paper has survived the recession and returned to prosperity and added two new successful niche publications. Our political endorsements are more coveted than ever. The staff is strong. And I’m 61 years old, enjoying my city council work, and ready for some new challenges. It’s a great time for someone new to come in with their ideas and energy.”He continued, “Starting the Independent from scratch with a handful of colleagues three decades ago was incredibly hard, and since then it has been a difficult but glorious journey. I am so grateful for the staff here at the Independent over the years and our commitment to building a vibrant, open culture and a just community here in our beloved North Carolina home. There is nobility in this work, and I am so lucky to have been able to do it. ”
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