After two years, Carrboro Free Press, also known as the Freep, has ceased publication, at least temporarily, according to business manager Erin Redfern. It will not be printed this week.
This was posted on CFP’s Web site today:
Dear Readers:
In the past month, the CFP has had serious business decisions arise in regards to our financial stability. We are taking a hiatus while we formulate a smarter business plan moving forward.
This is not goodbye by any means, but a much needed pause to consider our next best step.
Thank you for reading, and supporting the Freep.
We’ll keep in touch and let you know when we go back to press.
The CFP debuted in October 2007 and was run as a co-op. According to its Web site, the CFP “has gone from an eight-page, 1,000 copy s produced ‘underground” at a dining room table to a 16-20 page, 2,500 copy community fixture produced by a dozen or so regular contributors.”
Earlier this summer, CFP reported its circulation had increased by 150 percent, and original content had increased by more than 100 percent. Last March, CFP introduced The Distillery, a monthly arts and literature supplement.
However, the CFP couldn’t compete with the higher-profile free weekly, the Carrboro Citizen. It also has operated in the red, but received a $50,000 loan from the Town of Carrboro’s Revolving Business Loan earlier this year.
Disclosure: Indy freelancer Rebekah L. Cowell worked at CFP. Former Indy Managing Editor Kirk Ross is the editor of the Carrboro Citizen.
