Brownstoner

Brownstoner began as "a Brooklyn-based website"[1] and in 2017 added a printed edition. It is currently owned by Schneps Communications, a local operator of other newspapers and digital publications.[1]

History

Weblog

Originally titled Brownstoner Magazine, it began as a blog[2] in 2004.[3] A sister site[3] named Queens Brownstoner was begun in 2013 by Brownstoner founder[4] Jonathan Butler, who also launched the Brooklyn Flea[5] and Smorgasburg.[6][3]

One of Brownstoner's bloggers is a lay historian who writes weekly about Brooklyn architecture,[7] contributes to the site's award feature,[8] and also does a post each month on upstate New York architecture.[7][9][10]

BlankSlate

Brownstoner was acquired by BlankSlate in 2015 after 10 years and over 42,000 blog posts.[11] BlankSlate was founded by Kael Goodman as a digital marketing agency;[12] Brownstoner was a client.

Schneps Communications

Schneps Communications acquired Brownstoner from BlankSlate in 2017.[12] Schneps also publishes Brokelyn, The Brooklyn Home Reporter, The Brooklyn Spectator and The Queens Courier.

Building of the day award

Brownstoner's Building of the Day award recognizes architectural notability.[8][13][3]

Coverage

Brownstoner writes about the past and the present, and has covered topics including:[8]

• A 1650s building believed to be the oldest existing building in New York State
• The laying out of the NYC street grid
• Effects of the development of the NYC train system's three component divisions on the growth of housing
• Areas that remained farmland even as parts of Brooklyn were growing into a city
• Noting a web site that listed more than 100 "micro-neighborhoods" in Brooklyn
• Covering smaller two-family houses developed by Fred Trump, who was better known for his larger buildings.

The site averages 15 to 20 posts per day on various local subjects of interest.[4] Brownstoner founder Butler conceded that much of his eclectic material comes from tips.[3][2][14]

See also

• Long Island Press
• The Villager (Manhattan)

References

1. Corey Kilgannon (October 18, 2017). "The Community Newspaper Queen, of Queens". The New York Times.
2. Andrew Rice (March 18, 2011). "The Supersizer of Brooklyn". The New York Times.
3. Vera Haller (June 28, 2013). "Queens: The New Frontier for a Brooklyn Blogger". The New York Times.
4. Samantha Storey (January 23, 2009). "And the Blog Goes On". The New York Times. Retrieved March 25, 2019.
5. Brooklyn Flea
6. smorgasburg
7. Sharon Otterman (February 24, 2014). "Blogger Keeps Focus on Brooklyn Architecture, but Now Mostly From Upstate". The New York Times.
8. Suzanne Spellen (September 23, 2013). "Building of the Day: 649-677 East 91st Street". Brownstoner.com (Brownstoner Magazine).
9. "Writing under the pen name Montrose Morris"
10. Matt Chaban (September 5, 2012). "Goodbye Montrose Morris, Brooklyn Will Not Be the Same Without You". The New York Observer.
11. Cate Corcoran (March 16, 2015). "Brownstoner Has Been Acquired by BlankSlate".
12. "Big News: Brownstoner Has a New Owner". 9 February 2017.
13. "Listing of the day" is how Butler's Queens Brownstoner lists that publication's awards
14. "Bean & Bean .. new location .. wasn’t even on their Web site .. (someone) sent me a photo"