The Villager (Manhattan)
The Villager was a weekly community newspaper serving Greenwich Village, SoHo, Little Italy, NoHo, the East Village, and Lower East Side neighborhoods of Manhattan, New York City. Founded in 1933 by Walter and Isabel Bryan, it was one of the oldest community newspapers in the city.
The newspaper covered local news, politics, arts, culture, real estate, and community events. It was known for its in-depth reporting on neighborhood issues and its focus on hyper-local coverage. The Villager also published opinion pieces, letters to the editor, and arts reviews.
Over the years, The Villager changed ownership several times. From 2017 until its final publication, it was part of the NYC Community Media group, which also published other neighborhood newspapers in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
The Villager ceased publication in October 2020, citing financial difficulties exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Its archives remain an important resource for historical research on the covered neighborhoods.
Key features of The Villager included:
- Local News Coverage: Reporting on neighborhood meetings, development projects, and community concerns.
- Arts and Culture: Reviews of theater, music, art exhibitions, and film in the Village and surrounding areas.
- Political Coverage: Examination of local politics and the impact of city-wide policies on the community.
- Community Calendar: Listings of local events, meetings, and activities.
- Obituaries: Honoring notable residents and community figures.