Understanding the Factors Behind Recent Layoffs at St. Louis Magazine
St. Louis’ beloved culinary publication, Sauce Magazine, is facing significant operational changes and an uncertain future. Recent developments have raised concerns about the magazine’s ability to continue its print edition, a staple for local food enthusiasts.
Several staff members were laid off earlier this week, including the interim editor in chief and the digital creative director, leaving the magazine’s operations in the hands of a digital editor, a part-time designer, and two sales and events staffers. The layoffs were part of a strategic move by Big Lou Holdings, the magazine’s new owner, to refocus resources on events such as Food Truck Friday and Harvest Festival. CEO Chris Keating explained that advertising opportunities within the publication were limited, leading to the decision to invest more heavily in events.
“The reality is there’s not a tremendous amount of other revenue sources inside the Sauce publication, outside of food, that we can sell into,” Keating said. He emphasized the decision as a necessary financial strategy, not directly tied to the print edition.
Despite these staffing changes, Keating committed to producing the next two print issues of Sauce Magazine and will reassess the viability of the print format afterward. He is optimistic about the recent performance of the magazine’s last few issues and is planning for a new website launch this fall, aiming to engage freelance writers to fill content gaps.
The layoffs follow a turbulent period for Sauce, which included staff cuts over the summer and the resignation of longtime Executive Editor Meera Nagarajan in July. Nagarajan, who joined Sauce in 2008, expressed sadness over the potential loss of a unique local voice. “Sauce covered St. Louis through the lens of food and dining and restaurants, and I think to lose a voice like that is bad for the culture of our city,” she noted.
The shifts at Sauce come amid broader changes in St. Louis’ media landscape. In May, Big Lou Holdings sold the Riverfront Times, another prominent local publication. The sale, which did not retain any existing staff, marked a significant alteration in St. Louis’ alternative press scene.
For now, Sauce Magazine’s fate remains in limbo as Keating and his team re-evaluate its role and format in a challenging media environment. The local community, meanwhile, waits to see if this cherished publication can find new ways to maintain its place at the heart of St. Louis’ culinary culture.
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