Marketplace Magazine in Kincardine publishes final edition

After 36 years, the Marketplace Magazine in Kincardine has published its final edition.

Deb Pannell, daughter of founders/owners Jim and Linda Pannell, announced that the December issue was the final one.

In her column, she said that the magazine has had a full, rich history but it’s time to bid a fond farewell.

“Charlie Whipp joined Dad in the magazine’s infancy and elevated the editorial side,” she said. “Paired with Dad’s selling skills, it was the perfect fit. I joined the family business in December, 1990, with my newborn, Jessica, in tow. I had experience with Mac computers, and that was all Dad needed to hear — he put me right to work.

“It was a learning experience for all of us. Along the way, we welcomed many wonderful team members, Louise Court, selling in Saugeen Shores; Heidi Burger, graphic design; and Brenda Fabry, office and production. And a roster of fabulous writers, John F. Adams, Sarah Chisholm, Doug Archer, Ann Judd and Lynda Janzen. It’s hard to believe this is my last column. With heartfelt thanks to all our columnists, writers, and clients, you made Marketplace happen. And to all our loyal readers, thank you for your support.

“And with that, as Dad would say … walk on the sunny side.”

Featured in that final issue, is an editorial written by Eric Howald, former editor/publisher of the Kincardine Independent, with some memories of Jim Pannell, Charlie Whipp and Marketplace Magazine.

On the Sunny Side ...

“The news that Marketplace Magazine is closing brings back many memories.

“Jim Pannell had a little shop in the south end of Kincardine and asked me to drop in to meet the editor of his new publication, Charles Whipp, who had worked for daily newspapers in Regina and London and had owned the Petrolia weekly for a number of years.

“I asked Jim if Charlie wasn't perhaps a little long in the tooth to handle the job. (That was 38 years ago and Charlie was 65, which sounds pretty young to me today.) Jim’s faith in Charlie was well-founded as he proved to be an excellent writer and editor. Charlie and I became good friends.

“Jim and I go back about 50 years, to shortly after I started the Kincardine Independent. When I first met him, he was selling newspaper promotions across North America. Jim and his partner, Mac Dort, would go into a town and buy the centre spread of the local weekly newspaper for eight weeks. Then they would sell an eight-week advertising program to the local merchants. Then it was off to the next town.

“Selling advertising wasn’t Jim’s only gig. In his younger years, he was a hairdresser to the stars in Hollywood and made an appearance in one segment of a television series. That didn’t last long – he said he could make more money cutting hair. He sold suits to farmers on the prairies. He and another salesman would rent a storefront in a small town. One of them would collar a farmer on the street and guide him into the store where he was sold a new outfit.

“He won a bus shelter contract in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and did very well, for he could sell. I never met a salesman who could out-sell Jimmy. He was a pro. But Jim was tired of being on the road. He opened a leather shop at the mall in Kincardine in the late 1970s, but that did not go well. Then he launched the Inflation Fighter in the early 1980s. He asked me to set type and do the layout for the publication and after it went to press, he took The Independent staff out for dinner and drinks. He was generous.

“But that obviously wasn’t what Jim was looking for and he closed it after a year or so and came up with idea of the Marketplace Magazine. And he did it right. Daughter Deb handled production, wife Linda looked after the office, Charlie Whipp did the writing and Jim did the selling. It was soon a profitable 56-page monthly publication. In reality, we were competitors, fighting for the same advertising dollars. But for some reason, we were always friends. We were the only independent publishers in the area and often compared notes.
 

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Jim Pannell, the man behind Marketplace Magazine is surrounded by some of the most important people to him, his granddaughters; standing at the back, is Lily, while Ella gets grandpa’s lap, and from left, are Kylee, Kate James and Jessica; this photo was from the 25th anniversary issue, Feb. 2014; photo courtesy of Deb Pannell

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“He usually stopped into the office each month after Marketplace went to press and demanded that I go next door for a drink or two. One afternoon, 25 years or so ago, Jim walked in, slammed an almost empty bottle on the counter and said, ‘I’m dying. I want you to write my obituary.’ Jim was accompanied by his long-time friend, Jim Reid, former CTV investigative reporter. The three of us had to go next door to discuss the obituary and the aneurysm that was threatening Jim’s life. Jim survived the operation and did a lot of living until he died about nine years ago. His wife, Linda, has since joined him on the sunny side.

“Family, friends, fishing and golfing were Jim’s passions. He was at home on the lake. One afternoon, he dropped into the office and said, ‘We’re going fishing.’ It was a hot, windy August day and the lake had six-foot swell. As we went farther and farther out, I realized we were the only ones on the lake. Jim enjoyed the trip; I was glad when we returned to shore.

“Things were getting tough in the publishing business by the time Jim died. Internet advertising has led to the death of many publications in the past decade. Newspapers and publications like Marketplace that survive, are much smaller today because of the lack of advertising revenue. It is also difficult to find a printer today because most of the presses have been shut down. Deb has done well to keep publishing the magazine as long as she has.

“What would a healthy Jim do today? I believe the same as Deb – close the doors. Jim always looked on the sunny side. He would have looked for something else to sell. Anyway, I still miss talking to Jim and Charlie …”



Deb Pannell (centre) with her parents, Jim and Linda Pannell, on the front cover of the final issue of Marketplace Magazine