Blab Business
Batavia Daily News Inducted into New York State Historic Business Registry
On Wednesday, a quiet ceremony unfolded on East Main Street as Assemblyman Steve Hawley presented a formal proclamation, officially adding the Daily News to New York State’s Historic Business Preservation Registry. The event coincided with the paper’s 148th anniversary, underscoring its long‑standing role in chronicling the region’s history.
Founded on June 25, 1878 by brothers Malcolm and Samuel Mix and editor W.H. Brandish, the Daily News became Batavia’s first enduring daily newspaper after earlier weeklies that dated back to 1819. Over the past century and a half, the paper has changed hands three times—in 1881, 1981, and most recently in 2023—while expanding its coverage and embracing new technologies. It launched an online edition in 2008 and began using social media in 2010.
Today the Daily News operates with 16 full‑time staff members, including reporters, editors, advertising representatives, and office personnel. It also relies on roughly 10 delivery drivers and a network of freelance reporters to support its daily operations.
Assemblyman Hawley, who has served in the state legislature since 2014, praised the paper’s resilience and adaptability. "The Daily News’ 148‑year history in Batavia makes it one of the region’s longest‑operating businesses and institutions," Hawley said. He highlighted the paper’s continued commitment to quickly and accurately informing residents.
Senior Managing Editor Ben Beagle accepted the citation and shared a copy of the first edition, dated June 25, 1878, with Hawley. Beagle noted that the paper’s mission has not changed, but the means of delivering news have evolved. "We’re still committed to a print edition, but we also recognize that there’s a demand for digital," he said. He added that the paper recently launched a TikTok account in July to reach audiences where they prefer to consume news.
The New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry was created in 2020 to honor businesses that have operated for at least 50 years and have contributed significantly to their communities’ histories. The Daily News joins 12 other GLOW‑region businesses on the registry, including two Batavia‑based firms: Max Pies Furniture, founded in 1905, and Chapin Manufacturing, established in 1884.
Other registry entries in the region include Lapp Insulators in Le Roy and the Arcade & Attica Railroad. The registry also lists three Bergen‑area businesses—Liberty Pumps, auction house Harris Wilcox, Inc., and the Viking Valhalla Restaurant at the Rose Garden Bowl—and three Holley‑area businesses: Stockham Lumber Co., Holley Cold Storage and Hurd Orchards.
The proclamation ceremony underscored the paper’s role as a chronicler of local events and a pillar of community identity. Hawley’s nomination of the Daily News to the registry reflected his recognition of the paper’s historical significance and its continued service to Batavia residents.
The registry’s inclusion criteria emphasize longevity and community impact, and the Daily News’ 148‑year tenure satisfies both. The paper’s adaptation to digital platforms and its recent social‑media initiatives demonstrate its ongoing relevance in a changing media landscape.
The Daily News’ induction into the registry is a formal acknowledgment of its past and present contributions. The paper will continue to publish a print edition while expanding its digital presence, including the new TikTok channel, to meet the evolving preferences of its readership.
As the registry celebrates historic businesses across New York, the Daily News stands as a testament to the enduring importance of local journalism and the capacity of long‑standing institutions to evolve while maintaining their core mission.
Founded on June 25, 1878 by brothers Malcolm and Samuel Mix and editor W.H. Brandish, the Daily News became Batavia’s first enduring daily newspaper after earlier weeklies that dated back to 1819. Over the past century and a half, the paper has changed hands three times—in 1881, 1981, and most recently in 2023—while expanding its coverage and embracing new technologies. It launched an online edition in 2008 and began using social media in 2010.
Today the Daily News operates with 16 full‑time staff members, including reporters, editors, advertising representatives, and office personnel. It also relies on roughly 10 delivery drivers and a network of freelance reporters to support its daily operations.
Assemblyman Hawley, who has served in the state legislature since 2014, praised the paper’s resilience and adaptability. "The Daily News’ 148‑year history in Batavia makes it one of the region’s longest‑operating businesses and institutions," Hawley said. He highlighted the paper’s continued commitment to quickly and accurately informing residents.
Senior Managing Editor Ben Beagle accepted the citation and shared a copy of the first edition, dated June 25, 1878, with Hawley. Beagle noted that the paper’s mission has not changed, but the means of delivering news have evolved. "We’re still committed to a print edition, but we also recognize that there’s a demand for digital," he said. He added that the paper recently launched a TikTok account in July to reach audiences where they prefer to consume news.
The New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry was created in 2020 to honor businesses that have operated for at least 50 years and have contributed significantly to their communities’ histories. The Daily News joins 12 other GLOW‑region businesses on the registry, including two Batavia‑based firms: Max Pies Furniture, founded in 1905, and Chapin Manufacturing, established in 1884.
Other registry entries in the region include Lapp Insulators in Le Roy and the Arcade & Attica Railroad. The registry also lists three Bergen‑area businesses—Liberty Pumps, auction house Harris Wilcox, Inc., and the Viking Valhalla Restaurant at the Rose Garden Bowl—and three Holley‑area businesses: Stockham Lumber Co., Holley Cold Storage and Hurd Orchards.
The proclamation ceremony underscored the paper’s role as a chronicler of local events and a pillar of community identity. Hawley’s nomination of the Daily News to the registry reflected his recognition of the paper’s historical significance and its continued service to Batavia residents.
The registry’s inclusion criteria emphasize longevity and community impact, and the Daily News’ 148‑year tenure satisfies both. The paper’s adaptation to digital platforms and its recent social‑media initiatives demonstrate its ongoing relevance in a changing media landscape.
The Daily News’ induction into the registry is a formal acknowledgment of its past and present contributions. The paper will continue to publish a print edition while expanding its digital presence, including the new TikTok channel, to meet the evolving preferences of its readership.
As the registry celebrates historic businesses across New York, the Daily News stands as a testament to the enduring importance of local journalism and the capacity of long‑standing institutions to evolve while maintaining their core mission.
