It is with heavy hearts that we mark the end of an era. On Jan. 7, 2025, the Estevan Mercury—our city's oldest business and its chronicler for 122 years—closed its doors for the final time. Since its founding in 1903, before Saskatchewan even became a province, let alone Estevan became a town or a city, the Mercury has been more than just a newspaper. It has been a mirror of Estevan's heart and soul, recording the triumphs, challenges and milestones of our community.
To our readers, advertisers, employees, carriers and everyone who has been part of this extraordinary journey: thank you.
From the moment babies were born, the Mercury was there with a birth announcement. When children took their first steps into literacy, we were there with stories to support them, spark their imaginations and capture important moments in their lives. When our local sports teams scored big wins or athletes reached for the stars, the Mercury cheered alongside you. Graduations, weddings, family reunions – we celebrated with you. And when it was time to say goodbye to loved ones, our obituaries honoured their lives, ensuring their stories would not be forgotten.
We chronicled the rise and growth of businesses and organizations, sharing your accomplishments and struggles. We held leaders accountable, ensuring Estevan's citizens had a voice in their governance. Over the decades, generations of reporters, editors and photographers poured their hearts into capturing the essence of this vibrant community. Together, we built a legacy.
In addition to those who gathered the news, we've had so many talented people work in our office over the years, including graphic designers who have helped make the product look so good on a weekly basis, to the sales people who worked with our advertisers, to the admin people who provided a friendly face and voice to clients, to publishers who brought their business acumen.
But times change, and the challenges facing the print industry have proven insurmountable. The Mercury is not alone in this battle; local newspapers across the country are grappling with declining advertising revenues, rising costs and the rapid shift to digital media (which is fighting its own battles as well). Estevan's own printing plant, which faithfully delivered fresh, crisp Mercury editions week after week (and many other valuable papers across the province and beyond), will also cease operations at the end of January. This, too, is a poignant reminder of the industry's struggles.
Yet, amidst this bittersweet farewell, there is hope. While the Estevan Mercury's chapter has closed, the story of Estevan is far from over. Â鶹´«Ã½, Saskatchewan's provincial news hub, is stepping forward to carry the torch. With boots firmly planted in Estevan, we will continue to report on the stories that matter to you. The spirit of community journalism remains alive and well, and we are committed to upholding the Mercury's proud tradition of excellence.
To the businesses that advertised with us, even during your own challenging times: thank you for your unwavering support. Your partnership sustained us and allowed us to serve our community. To the hundreds of carriers who braved all weather to deliver the Mercury to doorsteps across the region: thank you for your dedication. And to the printing plant staff whose skill and craftsmanship made our weekly editions a tangible connection to Estevan's stories: your work has been invaluable.
Most importantly, to our readers: thank you for inviting us into your homes every Wednesday. Thank you for trusting us to share your stories, highlight your achievements, and shine a light on the issues that mattered most. Your loyalty and engagement have been the lifeblood of the Mercury.
We've seen and heard the comments, the tributes and the memories that have been shared since the Mercury's closure was announced. We are grateful for all of the positive feedback. It shows us that we have made a difference in the lives of so many in our community.
And we are thankful for all of the words of thanks over the years for our coverage of events, news stories, sports games or opinion pieces over the years. Sometimes we heard a thank you for running a child's picture in the paper, or for a promotion that gave kids a spotlight they normally wouldn't have had.
The Mercury has had so many success stories over the years. We've been recognized at the provincial and even national levels. But our greatest source of excitement was knowing the impact we were having on the community on a weekly basis.
It's infinitely sad to say goodbye to the Mercury. But let us also celebrate its legacy. For over a century, it has been a cornerstone of Estevan's identity, a testament to the power of local journalism to bind a community together. That legacy will endure in the stories we've told, the memories we've preserved, and the spirit of Estevan itself.
The Mercury's pages may no longer turn, but its essence lives on – in every reader who learned something new, in every milestone we celebrated together, and in every challenge we faced as a community. As we look to the future with Â鶹´«Ã½, we do so with gratitude and determination. The end of one chapter is the beginning of another.
From all of us who have had the honour of being part of the Estevan Mercury's journey: thank you. Here's to 122 years of memories and to many more years of telling Estevan's story.
