Blank Slate Media is moving up – literally.
Blank Slate Media, a chain of weekly newspapers covering the North Shore of Nassau County, moved into a new office in Roslyn Heights Monday after several years in a basement office at 105 Hillside Ave. in Williston Park.
The new office, located on the second floor of the 25 Red Ground Road office building, features a larger open space blanketed in natural light from big windows and a conference room. It is accessible by both a stairwell and an elevator.
Steven Blank, the publisher and editor of Blank Slate Media, said he appreciated the old space, but that the company has since grown out of it and the new space will help the staff continue producing quality newspapers.
“It was bittersweet moving from the place where we got the company going – there was so much history there and we enjoyed so much success and growth,” Blank said. “At the same time, I think this will be helpful for us. It’s a better environment for us to produce a quality newspaper, so I think the move will be very good for us and our readers.”
The newspaper chain started in Williston Park by publishing three editions in March 2010: the Great Neck News, New Hyde Park Herald Courier and the Williston Times. It has since grown to include the Manhasset Times, Roslyn Times and Port Washington Times.
Blank said the move and success of the papers would not have been possible without the support of the communities the staff seeks to cover, as well as business leaders who helped with the actual moving and Bradley Diamond, a Great Neck real estate broker, who found the space.
“At a time when a lot of people are talking about newspapers not doing well, and there are many that fall in that category, there are businesses like us that are focusing on the fundamentals of quality journalism, particularly in the area of community journalism,” Blank said.
“I wouldn’t consider adding the expense and going through this unless I thought that we had a bright future,” Blank added. “And certainly the support that we’ve received made this possible and encourages me that we’ll have continued success going forward.”
Jessica Parks, the Port Washington Times reporter, said the new office is definitely a plus.
“It’s really so nice to come into a bright office in the morning that’s filled with natural light,” Parks said.
Stacy Shaughnessy, who has worked in the ads department since October 2010, said she could remember when Blank Slate Media was contained in one room. It was still a nice space because of the people, she said, but the new space is simply “refreshing.”
“It’s breathtaking,” Shaughnessy she added.
Rose Palacios, a production manager who has worked at Blank Slate Media since late 2010, also said the old office served the staff well when there was a smaller staff and fewer papers to produce.
But having a larger office fits the production staff better and reflects how the company is growing, Palacios said, and will be good for collaborating with other departments and welcoming community members into the space.
“I don’t think we could have found a better location as we look forward to this next exciting chapter in the history of Blank Slate Media,” Palacios said.
Blank Slate Media can still be reached by calling (516) 307-1045, emailing news@theislandnow.com and via fax at (516) 307-1046.
