Brownstoner Explained

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

BlankSlate

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

Schneps Communications

Schneps Communications acquired Brownstoner from BlankSlate in 2017.^[11] Schneps also publishes Brokelyn, The Brooklyn Home Reporter, The Brooklyn Spectator and The Queens Courier.

Building of the day award

Brownstoners Building of the Day award recognizes architectural notability.^{[12] [13] [3]}

Coverage

Brownstoner writes about the past and the present, and has covered topics including:^[12]

• 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)

Notes and References

1. News: The New York Times. The Community Newspaper Queen, of Queens. Corey Kilgannon . October 18, 2017.
2. News: . The Supersizer of Brooklyn . Andrew Rice . March 18, 2011.
3. Web site: . Queens: The New Frontier for a Brooklyn Blogger . Vera Haller . June 28, 2013.
4. Web site: . And the Blog Goes On . Samantha Storey . January 23, 2009 . March 25, 2019.
5. http://www.BrooklynFlea.com Brooklyn Flea
6. http://www.smorgasburg.com smorgasburg
7. News: . Blogger Keeps Focus on Brooklyn Architecture, but Now Mostly From Upstate . Sharon Otterman . February 24, 2014.
8. "Writing under the pen name Montrose Morris"
9. . Goodbye Montrose Morris, Brooklyn Will Not Be the Same Without You . Matt Chaban . September 5, 2012.
10. Web site: Brownstoner Has Been Acquired by BlankSlate . Cate Corcoran . March 16, 2015.
11. Web site: Big News: Brownstoner Has a New Owner. 9 February 2017.
12. Web site: Brownstoner.com (Brownstoner Magazine) . Building of the Day: 649-677 East 91st Street . Suzanne Spellen . September 23, 2013.
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"