CBS – For ~40 years, LunchDates.com has been a premier matchmaking service for turning Boston singles into couples. "We interview all of our clients, and we get to know them, and at the end of the interview, usually a couple of people come to mind," says Jill Vandor, LunchDates's Executive Matchmaker & Dating Coach. From there, they offer date coaching and some strong solid advice.
by Levan Reid
See full article at CBS
BOSTON GLOBE – Privacy concerns, 'swiping fatigue,' and a desire to lock down a serious relationship are pushing people to seek one-on-one help. "The matchmaking business as a whole has been on fire," said Vandor, a matchmaker with LunchDates, who said she has seen a ~25% bump in business compared to pre-pandemic figures. Match's most recent Singles in America study, released in Nov, found that 48% of singles say they are now "more eager" to find a partner. Whereas dating apps gave rise to "hookup culture," the pandemic spurred a push toward "conscious dating." And conscious dating just so happens to be matchmakers' specialty. Three Day Rule has seen a 75% increase in business from pre-pandemic figures. Matchmaking rates vary by service but typically cost thousands of dollars. But what some clients are paying for is safety. Susie MacDowell, who runs Susie Q Matchmaking, said privacy is the "number one reason clients seek out her services.
BOSTON GLOBE – Mar 20 – "If you've ever used dating apps, you know that it can be like a full-time job," says Hannah Orenstein, whose experience as a matchmaker in New York City serves as the inspiration for her upcoming novel, "Playing With Matches." What matchmakers offer is convenience – handling everything from identifying dates to vetting dates to scheduling where and when two people will meet. "I tell people I'm kind of like a headhunter for their love life," says Jill Vandor, a longtime matchmaker at Boston-based LunchDates who says that firm has seen an influx of clients looking for a more personal touch. Some matchmakers even hit the dating apps so their clients don't have to.
by Dugan Arnett
The full article was originally published at Boston Globe, but is no longer available.
BOSTON.COM – Jan 28 – “After the holidays, people realize they don’t want to be alone, it increases as Valentine’s Day approaches,” said Jill Vandor, executive matchmaker for LunchDates. At LunchDates, which has been operating for 30 years, the employees connect individuals with other compatible members of the service. The company has ~1K members. Post Club, out of Newton, also says that once January hits, their busy season begins.
by Jessica Bartlett
See full article at Boston.com
STORY 2 — YAHOO NEWS — Nov 4 — Helen Long was feeling good about herself after finishing her first Ironman triathlon three years ago at the age of 40. A busy personal trainer looking to meet someone, long turned to LunchDates because of their claim to provide a personal touch. She indicated she would be interested in dating men between 33 and 48. LunchDates called her back and told her she was being unrealistic about the age range. "There’s no way I would have anyone in their 30s interested in meeting you."
Mark Brooks: Real world matchmaking services are extremely limited in their selection. They usually have membership bases of a few hundred members to draw on for their matchmaking. On the one hand, it’s good these services are honest about the services they think they can provide before extracting
thousands of dollars from hopefuls. On the other hand, this example is wholly discriminatory and outrageous? Your comments please…
