In January 2004, Debbie Galant, a former freelance columnist for the Jersey section of the New York Times, started a personal blog, "Debra Galant Explains the Universe." Within a few months, she met new media savant Jeff Jarvis at a blogger meetup at the Dancing Goat Cafe in South Orange, NJ. When Jarvis mentioned "hyperlocal blogging," the idea immediately struck a chord in Galant. Baristanet, a hyperlocal site covering three towns in North Jersey, was born in May 2004.

Considered a premier example of local website journalism, Baristanet was named #1 placeblog in America by Placeblogger.com in 2007. It now boasts about 9,000 daily visits and a robust advertising base. Liz George became co-owner of Baristanet in 2005. In addition to Galant and George, eight people contribute to the site on a freelance basis.