For Kaitlyn Pacheco, the neighborhood newsstand represents a way for people to better understand themselves and each other. An editor and magazine collector, Pacheco dreamed of starting her own newsstand in Columbus. After months of toying with the idea, Pacheco launched Print Isn’t Dead, Columbus’ first pop-up magazine stand, in May 2026. We spoke with the German Village resident about her commitment to print media and how the Columbus community has helped make her dream a reality.
Kaitlyn Pacheco (right) & her husband, Justin (left). Photo by Emily Hughes
What inspired you to want to bring a pop-up magazine stand to Columbus?
I wanted to commit to building a small part of the type of community that I personally want to live in. I studied magazine journalism at Ohio University and fell in love with what magazines can bring to the world. My life always seemed more interesting when my mind was full of a magazine, and I just kind of chased that.
How has the concept been received since you launched earlier this year?
I have met and talked to more people in the past two months of doing this magazine stand than I have in my five years living in Columbus. The process of matching someone with a new magazine has been so rewarding. I have been incredibly lucky and so grateful to have had so many amazing interactions—not only with individuals in the community, but within Columbus’ independent small business community.
Print Isn't Dead Pop-Up. Photo by Emily Hughes
How often are you hosting pop-ups, and what can people expect when they come to one?
My hope is to continue doing monthly pop-ups around various neighborhoods. I think German Village will always be our home base, but I'd like to expand into other neighborhoods just to make sure that we're giving as much opportunity for discovery as possible.
When you come to the stand, you can expect a curated selection of brand new and vintage magazines, ranging from local publications like (614) Magazine and Edible Columbus to national and niche magazines.
The name, Print Isn’t Dead, speaks to the evolution of print media and connects to the broader analog boom. Why are magazines so important to you, and why do you think it’s valuable to make them more accessible for people in Columbus?
Magazines became really important to me because they taught me a lot about living. I grew up in a pretty small town, so magazines were a way that I learned about the world outside of that area. Across the country, I see individuals and community groups and university programs either starting or sustaining magazines purely just to communicate with each other. I think that energy and effort is the very definition of being alive. When I started this business, I felt really strongly that we wanted to say with absolute certainty that print is not dead.
Photo by Emily Hughes
What were your favorite magazines growing up? Which magazines stay in rotation for you now?
Early on, my favorite magazines were a rotation of Highlights, J-14, and Cosmo Girl. I grew up in the competitive dance world, so I was also an avid Dance Spirit reader. My current favorites are The Atlantic, Bookforum, n+1, The Baffler, and BOMB.
Which spots in Columbus do you believe are keeping the spirit of analog media alive?
The top two organizations that I have looked to for inspiration in starting Print Isn’t Dead are the Columbus Collage Collective and Zine Club Columbus. I have so much respect and admiration for the communities that they've built around taking these artistic mediums into how people in 2026 want to use print and spend time with each other.
Also, the book community in Columbus is overwhelmingly supportive. I feel so lucky to live in a community with so many local bookstores and spaces that make all types of print available.
Photo courtesy of Law Bird
What else do you enjoy doing in Columbus? What are some of your go-to destinations?
We live in German Village, so we’ve spent a lot of time becoming regulars at all the usual haunts. Club 185 is the go-to. We spend a lot of time at Antiques on High, Law Bird, and Cobra because German Village is so walkable.
Also, the energy in the community that has been built around Franklinton Fridays is absolutely phenomenal. Seeing how so many individuals have put their blood, sweat, and tears into making it an inclusive, welcoming, and artistically driven neighborhood is just incredible.
Find more information about Print Isn’t Dead on print-isnt-dead.com or @printisntdeadcbus on Instagram! Their next pop-up is this Saturday, June 20th, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at 729 S. 3rd Street.
