Ira Blossom created Sunday Club as a newspaper devoted entirely to puzzles and games. The New York-based publication replaces news and headlines with crosswords, Sudoku, mazes, comics and other activities meant to be completed with pencil and paper. Blossom developed the idea in 2023 as an alternative to the growing amount of time people spent looking at screens.
Blossom had a background in game design and worked through Black King Games, the studio behind Sunday Club. He wanted to bring the appeal of traditional newspaper puzzles into a publication of their own, with the look and feel of a printed Sunday paper. The project brought together puzzle designers, writers, illustrators and artists to create original games rather than collect existing puzzles into a standard activity book.
The first version took shape as an eight-page newspaper printed in full color on lightweight newsprint. Blossom and his team developed a mix of familiar games and original puzzles, with illustrations and themes that changed between issues. Some activities were designed for individual readers, while others could be shared with family or friends. The team also created a larger puzzle that linked clues and answers from different parts of the paper.
Sunday Club’s pilot issue was completed before the business formally launched and received an iDesign Award in 2024. Blossom used the early publication to develop the format and gather feedback before bringing it to a wider audience.
Sunday Club officially launched in May 2025. Customers could order individual issues or subscribe to receive new editions by mail. The business also offered wholesale bundles to coffee shops, boutiques and other small retailers. Blossom built the operation around direct distribution rather than the newsstand system used by traditional newspapers.
The publication grew into a series of themed issues. Early editions included Pilot Issue, It’s Blossom Time, Boardwalk Dreams, Fall Foliage, Friends & Family and Winter Wonderland. Sunday Club later organized its releases into seasons and added special editions, giving its designers room to explore different subjects and types of puzzles.
The range expanded further with themes such as travel, parenthood and popular culture. By 2026, Sunday Club had completed three seasons of issues and was taking subscriptions for a fourth season scheduled to begin in October. Blossom also built an online archive where readers could purchase earlier editions and special releases.
