Baristanet

Overview

Baristanet is a digital news outlet covering Montclair, New Jersey and the surrounding Essex County towns of Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, Maplewood, South Orange and Millburn, now published as part of the nonprofit Montclair Local.

History

Baristanet was founded in May 2004 by journalists Debbie Galant and Liz George, and was among the earliest successful hyperlocal news sites in the country, later named Best Placeblog in America in 2007. Galant left day-to-day management in 2012 to lead Montclair State University's NJ News Commons, while George continued running Baristanet as a for-profit outlet. In spring 2023, Baristanet merged with the nonprofit Montclair Local, with George becoming publisher of the combined organization; Montclair Local's print edition ended after its April 27, 2023 issue as the organizations shifted to a shared, digital-only operation.

Notable works

In 2009, The New York Times selected Baristanet to carry forward local coverage of Maplewood, South Orange and Millburn after ending its own hyperlocal experiment, The Local, in those towns.

Key personnel

Co-founder and Publisher: Liz George

Audience

Baristanet serves residents of Montclair and the surrounding Essex County communities collectively nicknamed "Baristaville," covering local news, opinion, food and parenting alongside Montclair Local's broader accountability reporting.

Location and contact info

Address
Montclair, New Jersey
Website
https://baristanet.com