DETROIT — Times-Shamrock Communications, the owner of Metro Times, said Monday, Aug. 26, that it is selling Detroit’s weekly alternative.

The sale was announced on the Metro Times blog.

“Detroit Metro Times has been a strong, profitable investment for us, for many years. As we look to diversify our family’s holdings, it made sense for us to offer Metro Times for sale to someone who could take it to the next level of growth,” said Scott Lynett, CEO of Times-Shamrock Communications, in a statement.

The newspaper, which specializes in covering art, culture and local politics, was founded in 1980.

Metro Times publisher Chris Sexson said the weekly publication will continue on, through the sale. 

“It will be business as usual for Metro Times during the sales process,” Sexson said on the blog. “We are going to continue to serve our readers and advertisers, who love the Metro Times brand, just as we have since 1980. We are excited about the future for us and Detroit.”

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan announced last month that it had purchased the building that houses the newspaper’s offices in downtown Detroit, and the paper is reportedly looking for new office space.