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Advocate committed to downtown

Signs long term lease

10/28/2009 7:20:00 PM

By Christina Chalmers

GREENVILLE - It all began on Broadway. No, not that famous avenue in New York City with all the bright lights and theater, but here in Greenville on the third floor of the Matchett Block in the building that is now occupied by Bill Roger's California Beds at Third and Broadway.

The first day of the Advocate began on May 3, 1883, it was called The Democratic Advocate - a six-column, eight page weekly publication founded by W. A. Browne, Sr. Through the years, it has changed ownership, names and locations a few times, but it still remains today.

"It's great that the Advocate has become an anchor over the years for the downtown area. It shows the commitment to the community," said Greenville Mayor Mike Bowers.

The Advocate has employed hundreds, if not thousands, of people over the past 126 years and is currently ranked fourth in top employers in downtown Greenville. It is just one business of the over 100 downtown businesses that employ hundreds of people in the community today.

The Advocate has been under its current ownership, Brown Publishing Company since 1996. The company reaches over 1.8 million people and 750,000 households in 31 counties in Ohio.

Before Brown acquired the newspaper, it changed hands from the original owner, local resident, W.A. Browne Sr. to the Canadian based company Thompson Publishing.