Trio revives Spokane Metro Magazine

Three investors have resurrected Spokane Metro Magazine.

The first issue of the 11-issues-per-year Spokane-based publication came out this week. The magazine published from spring 2008 to summer 2009, closing because of financial problems.

Publisher Eric Klamper said he and co-investors Steve Larsen and Brad Greene intend to make the publication successful by focusing on being a progressive, hip urban magazine.

Larsen will be heavily involved in the business side of the publication; Greene, who is co-owner of Purple Turtle Web design and marketing firm, will help with advertising.

Klamper worked as a marketing director on the first version; his half-brother, Collin Klamper, started the publication. Collin Klamper is not involved, said Eric Klamper.

Klamper said the initial effort crashed because not enough attention was paid to the business side of the operation.

“At one point we were (owed) about $80,000,” he said. “We’re all a part of the same community and you can’t go after someone for paychecks.”

The people in charge then weren’t aware that “we couldn’t always get paid,” he said, “because your advertisers weren’t always going to pay their bills on the first of every month.”

Having Larsen, an accountant with his own financial services company, involved will correct that problem, Klamper said.

The magazine will focus on fashion, food, the arts and lifestyles, which are the same goals the magazine had from the start, he said.

“What people liked about Spokane Metro was it was a bit edgy, and we’re going to keep that,” he said.

“We want to introduce things to Spokane that other cities may be experiencing. We want to be progressive in that way.”

Another past practice – hosting community parties – will continue, Klamper said.

The first party under the new management will be in August, he said.