Lake City newspaper sold to familiar face in Lake Pepin town
Apr. 21—LAKE CITY, Minn. — Mark Nichols has gone from making the news to selling and, eventually, writing it.
Nichols, along with his daughter and son-in-law — Emily and Justin Hawryluk — purchased the Lake City Graphic, the local newspaper that covers the city of Lake City as well as the communities Zumbro Falls, plus Old Frontenac and Florence Township in Goodhue County.
It's a whole new world for Nichols, who recently finished his second term as mayor of Lake City.
The paper, which under various names has been continuously published since 1861, had been in the Schumacher family since 1970 when Dennis and Marian Schumacher purchased a half interest in the publication, becoming sole owners in 1992.
"Our dad started here the day after Easter in 1950," said Dean Schumacher who, up until recently, owned the Graphic along with his brother, Terry Schumacher.
Dennis Schumacher worked his way up the chain, never leaving after taking the job in high school.
But with Terry planning to retire, the Schumachers decided now was the time to find a buyer. Dean said considering the long history of the Graphic and how some small town newspapers have folded, he was glad the family kept it running under their watch.
Nichols pointed out that among the Graphic's seven employees, most are native Lake City residents. That, he said, brings a certain level of institutional knowledge to the newspaper. Which is part of what drew him to buy the Graphic.
"We'll be in a meeting, and they'll reference things from 30, 40 years ago," Nichols said. "If they had said they'd be retiring right away, I wouldn't have done the deal."
And while he's the new boss, Nichols said he has no plans to upset the way things are being done. A big part of that goes to the staff that's in place. The community, he said, trusts the newspaper because the Graphic has long held a policy of shooting straight without leaning to one political side or the other.
Not that they don't get that complaint once in a while.
"Overall the press is under fire for partisanship, but folks are concerned about the truth," Nichols said. "The big picture is there's a big concern about news. Can you truly trust the news? But we're nonpartisan, though we'll take positions on something occasionally."
Dean Schumacher said they began talking about selling the newspaper last year. With that, they sought out business experts who could advise them on the sale. When that happened, word eventually reached Nichols, and someone asked if he'd be interested in buying the Graphic.
His immediate answer: No.
But as the Schumachers kept looking for a buyer, Nichols said he took a closer look.
As the former mayor, Nichols said, "I understood the community and I absolutely knew it was vibrant, growing and the future is really bright."
And having been mayor, he had dealt with the staff at the Graphic for years.
"I knew the folks here, and I knew their reputation," Nichols said. "It's really strong. The folks love the paper, and that's truly a reflection on the workers here."
And since he was stepping down as mayor, he'd have about half a work week worth of time that needed to be filled. Nichols said he loves to stay busy and, even more, he loves to learn.
The Graphic, upon closer inspection, looked like the perfect next step. Add in that his son-in-law would be involved, and Nichols said it started to look like a no-brainer.
Editor Andrew Eggenberger said he immediately began recruiting Nichols to write articles, something Nichols said he will do eventually.
"Long term, I will write about subjects that are close to my heart, and that would be mostly municipality things because I come from a finance background," Nichols said. "That is a part of the municipality that will mostly glaze people's eyes over, but if you don't stay on that, you can be a few years later, and there can be some money issues."
Other areas where he hopes the Graphic will focus include those things that make Lake City strong and unique such as its school district, wellness for people of all ages — Lake City's retirement-age population is about twice the national average — and the environment, particularly the health and future of Lake Pepin.
Right now, he's learning the ropes and looking to upgrade the Graphic's equipment and offices a bit. That includes a long-planned upgrade to the website. Eggenberger wants a better e-commerce connection so people can more easily sign up and pay online. The Graphic's computers might see an upgrade. And the building is getting a conference room that will double as a community meeting room complete with the technology — video screens, computer connections — to facilitate those meetings.
Nichols said he sees the Graphic's role as bringing a focus on the community. That means writing about the city, service clubs, the school district and the community overall.
To get all that content, the Graphic relies on contributors within the community. That includes photographers, people sending in notices about community events, and folks who write about everything from sporting events to meetings.
Overall, the Graphic has a circulation each issue of a little more than 2,000 if you include newsstand sales, Dean Schumacher said. The advertising shopper is delivered to more than 8,200 households and businesses.
"Since we have sold, just about everybody I've talked to says they are so glad we have a local buyer," said Dean Schumacher. "People who have moved here from the Twin Cities suburbs, they really appreciate it to, being able to keep up with what's going on and with local events."
Nichols is no stranger to being a business owner in the region. Outside his two terms as mayor, he owns hotels in the region, part of his belief in the beauty of Lake City and the surrounding area as a draw for tourism.
"I believe in this area, in Southeast Minnesota," Nichols said. "For a smaller town newspaper to survive, you have to have a unique connection with the community."
Starting in 1861 as The Weekly Lake City Times, the newspaper now known as the Graphic has had several names until being known as The Lake City Graphic since 1936.
1932: Larry Oberg purchased half interest in the Lake City Graphic-Republican from Mique Heed. Oberg formed a partnership with Eugene Hibbard, who joined the newspaper the previous year.
1936: The newspaper changes its name to The Lake City Graphic.
1956: Larry and Esther Oberg purchase HIbbard's interest in the Graphic.
1970: Dennis and Marian Schumacher purchase half interest in the Graphic from the Obergs.
1972: Jim and Joyce Miller puchase the Obergs' remaining interest in the Graphic.
1992: Schumachers purchase the Millers' interest in the Graphic, becoming sole owners.
2002: Terry and Shari Schumacher along with Dean and Mary Schumacher purchase the Graphic and move the offices from 107 S. Lakeshore Drive to 111 S. Eighth St.
2025: The Lake City Graphic and Lake City Shopper are purchased by Hometown Press, which is owned by Justin and Emily Hawryluk and Mark Nichols.
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