S. F.’ s 7x7 Magazine cuts print for online

In a move that further shrinks San Francisco’s print media landscape, 7x7 Magazine announced that its March issue will be the last to hit newsstands.

The arts, culture, food and fashion magazine, which had published 10 issues a year, will continue its online operations with a renewed focus, said President and Editor in Chief Chloe Harris Harren.

“I have loved every last hectic moment of publishing 7x7 these past 13 years,” she said Tuesday. “But just as our editorial mission has always been to report on and celebrate what’s new and innovative, we must also look forward at the business level. Print is our legacy and has been crucial to building the 7x7 brand. But our future is online.”

The glossy magazine owned by Metropolitan Media Inc. launched in 2006 and was known for high- fashion photo shoots and bite- sized food and restaurant reviews, as well as longform articles.

7x7’ s growth online outpaced its print audience, however, with the magazine’s website drawing 600,000 unique readers per month, roughly 10 times its print readership, according to Harris Harren.

She said there would be some layoffs associated with the shift, but did not say how many.

The shuttering of 7x7’ s print operation comes less than six months after the Bay Guardian, San Francisco’s left- of- left alternative weekly, closed its doors after 48 years, citing financial issues.

7x7 will continue to publish a few printed special editions each year, including its annual City Guide, Harris Harren said.

“We’re investing in updating and redesigning our website and mobile platform to give our readers what they want — up- to- the- minute quality local content, stylishly presented, and super easy to digest and share,” she said. “We’re in 21st century San Francisco after all. When in Rome.”