Former editor, spouse acquire venerable Grosse Pointe News
John and Terry Minnis, founders and publishers of the popular Grosse Pointe Magazine, have announced their acquisition of the weekly Grosse Pointe News from Robert G. Liggett Jr., of Grosse Pointe Shores, in a private sale. The terms were not disclosed.
John Minnis worked for The Grosse Pointe News for 19 years, beginning in 1988 as a staff writer and progressing to editor and general manager. Liggett purchased The Grosse Pointe News in 2007 and brought in his own management team.
“We are honored and humbled that Mr. Liggett has agreed to let us take on this historic newspaper,” said John and Terry Minnis. “Grosse Pointe is a unique community, a ‘small town’ in an urban environment. The Grosse Pointes deserve — and need — a newspaper of their own, and we look forward to continuing that work.”
Liggett, in turn, said he has been “honored to ‘steward’ The Grosse Pointe News” for the past decade.
“Seeing it win so many ‘Best of’ awards is a testimony to the quality of our Grosse Pointe News family of employees,” Liggett said.
“Our goal was to maintain this jewel of the Pointes, and I believe we have done this,” Liggett said in regard to the sale of the newspaper. “In searching for a new steward of the paper, I wanted a successor who shared my enthusiasm for my hometown. I know I have found this with John and Terry. I wish them every success.”
The Minnises began their publication, Grosse Pointe Magazine, in May 2010. In its first seven years, the magazine has grown in size and popularity. Other titles — Insider’s Guide to the Pointes and Harper Woods with Chamber Member Directory and Detroit River Living — have been added to the Minnises’ Pointe Media Incorporated portfolio.
“We think our magazines are a good fit alongside the Grosse Pointe News,” said Publisher John Minnis, a former writer for The Detroit Legal News. “While our bi-monthly and annual magazines provide color and uplifting features, the weekly newspaper offers our readers and advertisers the immediacy they often require.”
The Grosse Pointe News, founded by Robert B. Edgar, debuted November 8, 1940. Its Vol. 1, No. 1 cover featured a photograph of Edsel B. Ford casting his vote in the November General Election. Upon his father’s death in 1979, Robert G. “Butch” Edgar took over as publisher. Following Butch Edgar’s death in May 2007, Minnis worked with the surviving family members to complete the sale of newspaper to Liggett.
In recognition of the founding family, “Robert B. Edgar, Founder” joins John Minnis, Publisher, on the newspaper’s masthead along with Terry Minnis, Vice President, and Jody McVeigh, Editor. Pete Waldmeir, former Detroit News columnist, comes out of retirement as Opinion Editor.
While John and Terry Minnis, of Grosse Pointe Woods, will be hands-on owners in all aspects of the business, Terry Minnis will focus on the business and sales end, while John Minnis will work with the editorial staff and maintaining strong relationships with city leaders, organizations and the many loyal advertisers and businesses that support both the newspaper and magazine publications.
“I look forward to working with Jody and the entire editorial staff in continuing and expanding their complete coverage of the Grosse Pointes,” former editor John Minnis said. “They’re doing a great job; they continue to garner many industry awards, and my job will be to help them to new heights.”
The Minnises are ‘thrilled to take over” as the third owners of the 76-year-old Grosse Pointe News.
“My only regret is that we were not on board when The Grosse Pointe News celebrated its 75th anniversary,” said John Minnis. “Hopefully, Terry and I will still be the owners of this venerable weekly newspaper when it celebrates its centennial!”
The Minnis’s first edition as owners of The Grosse Pointe News was published Thursday, Aug. 24.
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