Two staff members at The Business Monthly are buying the Columbia newspaper from its owner and founder, Carole Pickett.

This week, business manager Cathy Yost and associate publisher Becky Mangus are expected to complete the deal for the newspaper, which covers businesses in Howard County and the BWI business district.

Yost, who has worked at the paper for three years, will be chief financial officer. Mangus, who was a contributor and subcontractor for 10 years before becoming associate publisher this year, will become publisher.

The newspaper prints 27,000 copies monthly. They are distributed free in area office buildings and banks.

The sale will put an end to a two-year search for a buyer by Pickett, 60, who wanted to retire. Neither Pickett nor the new owners would disclose the price. The deal will require Pickett to continue at the paper for one week a month over the next year.

"I'm hoping over the next 12 months I'll have a chance to say goodbye," said Pickett, who has run the paper since starting it a decade ago. "There is a time for everyone to step back, and, hopefully, this is the right time for me."

Yost said the three had been working on the deal for four months and that it is a good fit.

Yost, who had been managing the books and handling the advertising staff, said she had thought about trying to purchase the business but knew she lacked a broad enough background.

Mangus, who also owns marketing and consulting company Marketing Solutions Unlimited, had done layout and design for the newspaper for two years and had editorial experience.

Mangus said she will continue with her other business, working with a few long term clients.

Yost and Mangus said they don't expect much change at the newspaper,

"It only made sense we could continue doing what we were doing," Mangus said. "We'll take some of the plans she had and go forward with them and add some of our own."