BALTIMORE, March 06, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mixolo, the in-real-life social network for solo adults, today reported its success helping hospitality and entertainment venues across the Mid-Atlantic attract new patrons.

As the restaurant industry grows ever more crowded, eateries are opening and closing more and more rapidly. According to Chris LeBarton, a market economist for CoStar Market Analytics, vacancy rates in Baltimore for spaces of less than 3,000 square feet — the size of many independent restaurants — have risen to 7.5 percent, the highest they’ve been since 2010. And despite its restaurant boom, neighboring Washington, D.C. has also seen its share of recent restaurant closures – of both old standbys and buzzy newcomers.

“In such a competitive market environment, owners are looking for new channels to increase their base of loyal customers,” says Mixolo founder and CEO, Carolyn Lynch. “Mixolo may provide a key.”

Some of the guests who attended Mixolo’s "create your own crepe" event at Sofi’s Crepes in Baltimore “didn’t even know we existed,” before the event says Linda Conrad, owner of the Belvedere Square franchise. But the after-hours crepe-making party brought her business many new customers. “They liked us on Facebook and talked enthusiastically about coming back with their friends and family,” she says.

As a Mixolo host, Conrad attests to the success of the social network, which encourages “in real life” interaction among solo adults. “The events are really interactive,” she points out. “When people weren’t cooking, they were mingling and chatting, or encouraging others.”

“Rather than walking in off the street or finding us on their phone, Mixolo customers come in for a reason,” says Harry Hummel, who hosted a beer tasting and tour at Brew House 16, the Baltimore brewery he owns with his son, Ian. “The guests feel a sense of inclusion and that increases the possibility that they’ll come back.”

Mixolo (Mix + Solo) is a thriving community of solo adults who, regardless of their relationship status, want to venture out on their own, have fun and enjoy life. Launched in Baltimore in early 2017, Mixolo is expanding its reach into new markets, including Washington, D.C. The online (mixolo.io) network is designed for people who want to participate in their favorite activities – or try something new – with like-minded adults. “Mixolo exists for people who understand that being solo does not equate to being alone,” says Lynch.

Mixolo’s curated experiences include theater excursions, wine dinners and sporting events, and each one includes the opportunity to interact with other members as well as special guests from the host venue.

Jean Thompson is communications director for Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, which has hosted numerous Mixolo events. These experiences, she says, are designed so guests have time to meet each other before the curtain goes up. “Half the fun of being at a show,” she points out, “is turning to someone and saying, ‘Whoa, did you see that?’”

Like restaurants, theaters are engaged in an ongoing struggle to fill seats, and Thompson says Mixolo is a big help. “We saw a lot of new faces with the Mixolo group,” she added, “and we’ve seen many of them return.”

The Sofi’s Crepes event, says owner Conrad, “was fun and easy to prepare.” The shop stayed open after hours and attendees paid a flat fee to participate. Guests stepped up to make sweet and savory crepes on the restaurant’s large round griddles. “Some people did not even realize you could have a crepe for dinner,” Conrad says. And the returns, she adds, were valuable. “Now we have all these new customers who are spreading the word.”

Visit www.mixolo.io today and opt-in to life. No plus-one required.

ABOUT MIXOLO
Mixolo, the in-real-life social network, is building a social community of solo adults, regardless of relationship status, who want to connect with interesting and like-minded people at specially designed events and experiences. Currently accessible online (mixolo.io), the company anticipates launching a mobile app in 2018. Members have access to tailored events with hosts who are committed to welcoming Mixolo groups. For event hosts, Mixolo represents an opportunity to reach a new, highly targeted audience. The Event Marketplace which will be part of the mobile app is a centralized self-service hub for hosts to populate with their events.

Visit www.mixolo.io for additional information.  Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

CONTACT
Mostafa Razzak
202.904.2048
m.razzak@jmrconnect.net