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Editor and publisher Jerry Sullivan has been notifying supporters and others all day that the July 23 issue of the Los Angeles Garment & Citizen will be the weekly's last. He cited a slowdown in advertising support. The award-winning newspaper has been an important presence Downtown since it started as a newsletter in 2000. From Sullivan's note:
“This economy looks like it will remain rough for awhile, but improvements will come eventually, and I believe that the newspapers that survive will once again thrive,” he said. “Meanwhile, we’ll give our readers a kiss goodbye on July 23, with great appreciation for the experience of serving our community.”
Whole thing follows after the jump.
The Garment & Citizen started in March of 2000 as an 8 1/2-inch-by-11-inch newsletter with a circulation of 3,000. The weekly publication soon grew to its current tabloid size, while circulation steadily increased.
“We never had a problem with readership—our focus, coverage and commentary forged a unique connection to our community that remained strong and clear throughout,” Sullivan said. “Since 2008, though, we’ve had a tough time with advertising revenue, so I made the decision to close the publication rather than risk any deterioration in the standards we’ve set as a community newspaper that makes a best effort for the community with each issue.”
The Garment & Citizen won a loyal readership from all walks of life in the central city while also earning recognition from media associations, community organizations and various civic leaders. The California Newspaper Publishers Association (CNPA) bestowed statewide honors on the Commentary column by Jerry Sullivan, editor and publisher of the Garment & Citizen, on two occasions. New America Media also singled out the column for national honors. U.S Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard recognized the Garment & Citizen for its contributions to the community with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition. Former Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief William J. Bratton invited Sullivan to give a verbal rendition of one of his columns in an address to a graduation class of the Los Angeles Police Academy, a rare honor from an astute public servant and observer of the press.
Sullivan noted that various other honors and awards came to the Garment & Citizen, but added that recent difficulty in drawing a steady flow of advertising revenue forced a decision to cease publication.
Sullivan said he’s proud of the Garment & Citizen’s achievement and remains hopeful about the future of the newspaper industry in both print and online forms.
“This economy looks like it will remain rough for awhile, but improvements will come eventually, and I believe that the newspapers that survive will once again thrive,” he said. “Meanwhile, we’ll give our readers a kiss goodbye on July 23, with great appreciation for the experience of serving our community.”