We started Seven Days in 1995 with 28 pages and six employees. A lot of things have changed over these 14 years: Our page count multiplied, and so did our staff. We added a lively website and created auxiliary products: 7 Nights, a dining and nightlife guide, and What’s Good, our college students’ guide to Burlington. We expanded our circulation from 12,000 to 34,000. We also redesigned the paper a couple of times.

This new, magazine-style iteration is the result of planning that predates the current recession. We’ve been mulling a change to the “short tab” format for years; many of our colleagues around the country did it long ago.

So, why make the switch now?
The quality of the printing will be better, and we can put color on any page. These are functions of the printer we have chosen — Upper Valley Press in North Haverhill, N.H. — and represent significant advantages for both advertisers and our editorial design.

A magazine-style newspaper is a lot easier to hold and flip through than our previous size. And, happily, the new version will still fit in our distribution racks — there are more than 700 of them throughout Vermont and Plattsburgh, N.Y.

In house, our designers are psyched to lose that fold in the middle of the page, and the new format actually gives us more flexibility to expand and contract as needed.

We’re saving paper, and hence, a little money, which has allowed us to hire a third full-time staff writer. At age 14, it was time for a makeover! Creative Director Don Eggert and the design team deserve credit for our new look.

We’re excited about the changes and hope you are, too. Just know that our mission remains the same: to engage, serve and cover the Vermont community in the most relevant, thoughtful and cutting-edge ways we can. As always, thanks to you, our readers and advertisers, without whom this would not be possible. Enjoy!

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