Since I moved to Middletown more than 12 years ago, my Sunday morning ritual has been to stop into Central News, on Main Street to pick up a copy of the Sunday New York Times, and then head to a local coffeeshop for caffeine and eggs.
Today was my last opportunity to do so.
Since 1946, Central News has been the go-to shop for newspapers, magazines and tobacco products. As of today, Sunday January 13, 2013, Central News will no longer be selling newspapers.
"We'll still be selling magazines and tobacco, but today is the last day for newspaper sales," Sbona said. "It's a sad day."
This is but one more sign of the decline of print news media, as paper circulation has shrunk steadily over the last decade as web news sources have cannibalized readership.
"Give me a minute to let this sink in," a regular patron said after reading the sign Sbona had posted about the end of newspaper sales.
but don't newspapers bring in traffic to the store which leads to sales in other areas? seems unproductive to me.
ReplyDeleteI am stunned.
ReplyDeleteNo more newspapers. I am speechless.
ReplyDeletewow, I go there just to buy newspapers because you can't get the papers they sell locally (Ny papers, Boston, National Papers, etc)
ReplyDeleteSad day indeed. Central News is an institution in Middletown and will never be the same
ReplyDeleteSad to see the print go. What about tablets you can sign out with subscriptions of the Times and paid subscription news on them? Charge a fee, have hot coffee, and let customers sit and read? I'll be your first customer. Good luck to Central News in whatever the future holds!
ReplyDelete