Halifax weekly the Coast bought by B.C.-based media company

The Coast, Halifax's local independent weekly paper, has been acquired by Victoria-based Overstory Media Company.

In a statement Wednesday, Coast co-founders Kyle Shaw and Christine Oreskovich wrote "we felt we owed it to our team and readers to find a partner that could coach and mentor the Coast into being a stronger digital media outlet. Overstory is that partner."

They said the paper's editorial and reporting team is staying in place. 

The Coast, founded in 1993, cited rising operation costs, a struggle producing online content and general pandemic-related difficulties as the reason for the sale.

The paper cancelled printing in 2020 and shifted to online reporting, trying to keep up with the breakneck speed of the early pandemic news cycle.

"The pace to keep up with digital adaptation is relentless and we struggled to consistently produce an online version of The Coast that achieves the high standards we set for the print edition," read the statement.

The Coast is also known for hosting and promoting Halifax events like Oyster Fest and Burger Bash.

Overstory Media Group has been acquiring local media groups and publications since its founding in 2021. It was founded by Farhan Mohamed and Andrew Wilkinson with the goal of acquiring local publications and building a network of media groups.

On its website Wednesday, Overstory wrote it was "proud to announce the acquisition of the iconic Halifax publication, The Coast, taking our roster of publications truly coast to coast across Canada."

The statement did not say the purchase price.

Overstory now owns nine local publications in Canada. The Coast is its first acquisition east of Alberta.