The Minnesota Star Tribune announced it will close its Minneapolis printing plant in the North Loop, a facility that has printed the state’s largest newspaper for nearly four decades. The decision comes as print circulation continues to decline and the company accelerates its digital-first strategy.
Why the Plant Is Closing
The Star Tribune revealed that its massive North Loop printing facility was operating at just 18% of capacity. About 125 employees work at the plant, and the company says it is in discussions with unions regarding their futures. Closing the plant is expected to save the newspaper millions of dollars annually.
Where Printing Will Move
Starting December 27, printing operations will be shifted to a Gannett-owned plant in Des Moines, Iowa. Gannett, the parent company of the Des Moines Register and over 150 other newspapers, will now handle the Star Tribune’s daily press runs.
The change also moves print deadlines up significantly. Weekday deadlines will be 5:15 p.m., and Sunday deadlines as early as 4 p.m. This means evening sports scores and late-breaking news will no longer appear in the following day’s print edition — a major change for longtime readers.
What It Means for the North Loop
The property at 800 First Street N in Minneapolis is assessed at $20.4 million, and its eventual sale could spark another round of redevelopment in the fast-growing North Loop neighborhood. For an area already known for major projects, restaurants, and residential growth, the site’s future use will be closely watched.
A Shift Toward Digital
Publisher Steve Grove, who took over in 2023, has made big moves to modernize the Star Tribune. He has overhauled the paper’s website and mobile app, restructured leadership, and even offered buyouts to staff earlier this year. Grove framed the closure as part of a larger transformation, saying the paper is no longer going to operate its own printing facility.
Final Thoughts
This move underscores the ongoing shift from print to digital in local journalism. While longtime readers may miss the tradition of the daily paper hot off a local press, the Star Tribune is positioning itself for a digital future.
If you’re following Minnesota’s growth, development, and community shifts — whether in news, real estate, or lifestyle — it’s all interconnected. The future of the Star Tribune’s printing plant site could reshape the North Loop, just as the future of local news is being reshaped online.
👉 If you’re considering buying or selling in Minneapolis or across the east metro, I’d love to help. I’m Darin the Minnesotan, your Twin Cities Realtor, keeping up with all things Minnesota so you don’t have to.
