The Western Jewish Bulletin
The Western Jewish Bulletin, February 7, 2003
"Meeting new people in style" -Kyle Berger
The recently opened Campoverde is a social club and a dating service. Rachel
Greenfeld isn't saying that Vancouver's not a friendly city; she just thinks
that its bubble-type social society makes 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 traveling and working in places like New York,
Washington D.C., England and Spain, Greenfeld said she came to the conclusion
that Vancouverites were 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 lounges 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 you¹ve 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 $300, 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 doesn¹t 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 Campoverde¹s style. "If people love (the dating café) aspect of
it, we¹ll do it all the time. If they hate it, then well 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 week-end 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. "It¹s 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 Street
near 1st Avenue. More information can be found online at www.campoverde.ca,
or by calling 604-734-1660.