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February 7, 2003
Meeting new people in style
The recently opened Campoverde is a social club and a dating service.
KYLE BERGER REPORTER
Rachel Greenfeld isn't saying that Vancouver's not a friendly city;
she just thinks that its bubble-type social society mades it difficult
for people to network or meet new friends. And that was the motivation
behind Campoverde, the unique social lounge she and partner Kimberly
McFarlan opened in January.
While spending several years travelling and working in places like
New York, Washington, D.C., England and Spain, Greenfeld said she
came to the conclusion that Vancouverites where missing out on a
social interaction that many other cities enjoy.
"In France, they have such an array of networking, dinner parties
and social clubs that it is almost never a problem meeting new people,"
she said. "Whereas Vancouver is more of a bubble society where
we have our friends, our family, work or athletics and that forms
our bubble. It takes a huge surge of energy to venture outside that
and meet someone new."
Campoverde, Greenfeld explained, is an alternative solution to that
social dilemma.
Bedecked with red velvet curtains and outfitted with an early bordello
theme, Campoverde is the perfect backdrop into which, every night,
Greenfeld welcomes folks of all cultures and interests to have a
glass of wine and strike up a conversation with someone new.
"It's definitely an alternative to standardized methods of
meeting people," she said of the lounge's friendly environment.
"I just wanted to create something that felt healthy, natural
and fun and, as a by-product, you meet people all the time."
In fact, Greenfeld, who calls herself a professional shmoozer, greets
all the new people herself and makes sure her guests are doing the
same.
"Every time you come, you sit down with different people and,
if you've sat with someone for too long, you will most likely be
asked to sit with other people in another area," she said.
"Our members will sometimes say, 'Rachel, you haven't moved
people in over an hour.' "
While Greenfeld stressed that Campoverde should not be considered
a pick-up joint, she does provide a unique opportunity for guests
interested in meeting Mr. or Ms. Right.
For an initial fee of $200, plus $20 per month, members can fill
out a standard form that offers a small glimpse into what their
likes, dislikes or passions are. Guests can then browse through
the books of bios and, if someone strikes their interest, payment
of membership fees and a meeting with Rachel could lead to a date
or an introduction the next week.
Greenfeld doesn't provide pictures to any non-members and never
gives out last names, e-mail addresses or phone numbers unless the
listed member feels so inclined.
"At the end of the day, the lounge is going to evolve however
people want it to," she said of her desire to let the members
dictate Campoverde's style. "If people love [the dating café]
aspect of it, we'll do it all the time. If they hate it, then we'll
get rid of it and just be a social club and run events."
The Vancouver Jewish Singles group has already held an event at
Campoverde and Greenfeld said they are working out a plan to hold
monthly events at the lounge.
The seven members that make up the Campoverde executive board are
also planning for club patrons a week-long trip to Cuba in February,
a weekend ski trip in March, as well as various weekly events like
Wednesday comedy nights and Latin-American guitar nights on Fridays.
"All you need to bring is an open mind," Greenfeld said.
"It's not a certain age group that comes in here. It's a mentality."
Campoverde opens every night at 6 p.m. and is located at 1660 Cypress
St. near 1st Avenue. More information can be found online at www.campoverde.ca
or by calling 604-734-1660.
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