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Alternative Pittsburgh Paper Ends Weekly Publication

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  Published in Business and Finance on Thursday, October 16th 2025 at 10:55 GMT by Patch
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Pittsburgh’s Long‑Running Alternative Paper Shuts Its Print Door After Two Decades

For over twenty years, The City served as Pittsburgh’s counter‑culture compass, offering readers a weekly pulse on the city’s arts, nightlife, food scene and grassroots activism. The decision to cease the paper’s weekly print edition—effective with the publication of its final issue on December 3, 2023—marks the end of an era for a publication that has become synonymous with the city’s independent spirit.

A Brief History

Founded in 2001 by editor‑publisher Alex Rivera, The City began as a modest four‑page broadsheet distributed on university campuses and in local cafés. Its mission was to give a platform to under‑represented artists, emerging musicians, and activists who often found themselves omitted from mainstream media. The paper’s irreverent voice quickly attracted a loyal readership, and by 2007 it had expanded to a full‑color 48‑page issue sold at newsstands across downtown Pittsburgh, Oakland, and the South Side.

In the 2010s, The City played a pivotal role in documenting the city’s transformation. It covered the revitalization of the Strip District, the rise of craft breweries, the burgeoning tech scene in the Hill District, and the city’s social justice movements. The paper’s “Off‑the‑Wall” column became a go‑to spot for quirky local events, while its in‑depth reviews of theater productions and music festivals earned it a reputation for quality journalism.

The Decision to End Print

The latest edition of The City—printed in its traditional broadsheet format—was produced amid a challenging economic landscape for print media. In an interview with the Pittsburgh Post‑Gazette, Rivera cited a combination of factors: “Advertising dollars have moved to digital platforms, and the pandemic accelerated a shift away from print. We’ve been struggling to keep the print budget viable while still maintaining the level of investigative reporting that our readers expect.”

The paper’s editorial team estimated that printing costs had risen by 12% over the last five years, while print advertising revenue fell by 25% since 2018. In contrast, the paper’s online readership had grown, with a steady increase in unique visitors to its website, thecitypaper.com. Despite the online shift, Rivera emphasized that the team was still “unsure if a purely digital model would sustain the paper’s independence and quality.”

Community Reaction

When the decision was announced, the response from the local community was swift and emotional. In a letter to the editor published in the final issue, longtime reader Maria Lopez wrote, “For thirty years, The City has been the soundtrack of my life in Pittsburgh. It’s more than a paper; it’s a friend.”

Artists, musicians, and activists have taken to social media to express both sadness and gratitude. A popular Instagram thread shared a collage of iconic images from The City’s archives, reminding readers of the paper’s influence on the city’s cultural landscape. Local business owner Jamal Harris shared that The City had been instrumental in driving foot traffic to his café in the Hill District during the paper’s “Sunday Morning Stroll” series.

The Paper’s Future

While the print edition has ended, Rivera confirmed that the City brand will continue online. The website will feature daily updates, video interviews, and interactive features that the paper’s print format could not support. “We’re pivoting to a digital-first strategy,” Rivera told Patch, “but we’re still committed to investigative journalism that holds local power to account.”

The transition will come with challenges. Rivera admitted that the paper will need to secure new revenue streams—potentially through digital subscriptions, sponsored content, and a more aggressive social media strategy—to sustain its operations. “It’s a tough road ahead, but we’re hopeful,” Rivera said.

Industry Context

The closure of The City echoes a broader trend in American journalism. The Pittsburgh Post‑Gazette highlighted a report from the Pew Research Center that found over 1,200 weekly alternative newspapers nationwide had either shut down or gone digital between 2019 and 2023. Factors cited included declining advertising revenue, the rise of streaming media for entertainment, and shifts in reader behavior toward real‑time online content.

Despite the industry’s challenges, there are examples of successful digital pivots. Publications such as The Stranger in Seattle and The Austin Chronicle have maintained print operations while building robust digital platforms. Their strategies include diversified revenue models, community events, and partnership with local businesses.

A Legacy Preserved

As the final print issue lands on newsstands, it carries more than ink and paper; it carries memories of a city’s counter‑culture evolution. Rivera’s final editorial, titled “The City’s Last Page,” reflected on the publication’s journey, thanking contributors, readers, and the community for a shared adventure.

Readers who want to explore The City’s archives can access a digital library of past issues on the paper’s website. Additionally, the Pittsburgh Public Library has digitized a selection of the paper’s most influential articles for public access, ensuring that the voice of The City remains audible for future generations.

In the shifting landscape of local journalism, the story of The City underscores both the fragility and resilience of independent media. While its print pages close, its spirit continues to echo in Pittsburgh’s streets, reminding us that a city’s cultural heartbeat can survive even when the ink dries.