Founded in 1987 in a temporary office at Bayfield Mall, the Barrie Advance has grown into the city's number one source for community news and information in the Barrie area. Shortly after publishing its first issue, the Advance purchased the former Barrie Banner, a community newspaper with more than 20-years history in the Barrie area. The Advance changed its name to the Banner Advance, shortly after the purchase, to incorporate the two newspapers, later evolving into the Barrie Advance as it is named today.

The Barrie location also serves as head office for the Simcoe County Division, which includes the Alliston Herald, Collingwood Connection, Midland Mirror, Orillia Today, Wasaga Sun, Stayner Sun, Meaford Express, Blue Mountains Courier-Herald and Innisfil Journal newspapers.

The Barrie Advance is a member of the following industry organizations: SNA, OCNA, CCNA and the Ontario Press Council.