Boston Phoenix closing

BOSTON — The presses will stop at The Boston Phoenix.

The 47-year-old tabloid-sized newspaper which only recently reinvented itself into a glossy magazine will be closing immediately, according to a statement from the company.

A press release from Phoenix Media said:

With the issue dated March 15, The Phoenix, the 47 year old alternative arts and news weekly will cease print publication. The online issue slated for the week of March 22, will be the publication’s last.

The Portland Phoenix in Maine and the Providence Phoenix in Rhode Island will be unaffected. They will continue weekly publication.

The Phoenix's Twitter account posted this last message:

Publisher Stephen Mindich sent a memo to staff announcing the changes.

What I can and will say is I am extremely proud, as all of you should be, of the highest standards of journalism we have set and maintained throughout the decades in all of our areas of coverage and the important role we have played in driving political and socially progressive and responsible agendas; in covering the worlds of arts and entertainment, food and fashion – always with a critical view, while at the same time promoting their enormous importance in maintaining a healthy society; and in advocating for the recognition and acceptance of a wide range of lifestyles that are so valuable for a vibrant society.

Many were sorry to see the publication go: