Preference Introductions to open private singles club

Preference Introductions Inc., a dating service in Springfield since 1982, will open a private singles club in space next to its office at 3158 S. Campbell in June, according to Steven Motchar, president and general manager.

Club Millennium by Preference Inc. not to be confused with Ezar's Club Millennium on Park Central Square is a members-only club open at no extra charge to Preference clients, Motchar said, and will provide single people an alternative to meeting in bars. When Preference Inc. opened in 1982, he said, it broke new ground in the dating service industry by introducing couples via videotape. The company is again breaking new ground by adding a social aspect to the dating service, he added.

"Over the years that we've introduced single people, many people said that it would be nice to have somewhere to go out that is in a social setting, but is not really a bar," Motchar said. "Ninety-five percent of our clients are nonsmokers, so smoking is an issue for them with bars, too."

Motchar said while preparing his company for Y2K, he and the staff at Preference re-thought the company's purpose and decided to create a social club exclusively for its clients. He said the club, which holds about 65 people, will feature themed events a few nights a week and does not plan to serve alcohol, which may change according to client feedback.

"Some nights we'll have comedy, some nights there will be music. We're also installing a theater system, so there will be movie nights with kind of a living room atmosphere," Motchar said.

He said the company will also begin conducting seminars on various topics.

"This is something that has never been done before in the country by a singles organization. As we get it open, we'll have a suggestion box, so a lot of what we do will be driven by what our clients want," Motchar said.

Motchar said the employees at Preference do thorough background checks before agreeing to take on clients, and the fees are determined by each client's goals.

"We know their medical history; we know their financial history; we know where they work, where they live ... this is not like meeting someone through a 900 number or personals ad," Motchar said.

In addition to the social club, Preference is also using Internet technology to further serve its clients. Motchar said by 2001, Preference's Web site at www.todayssingles.com, will allow clients to view each other's videos by using a password.

"Technology is constantly evolving, and by the end of next year, clients will be able to preview videos on the Web. We're converting all of our files from this point forward to digital format, so everything in the future will be on computer rather than the old VCR," Motchar said.

He said the confidential information clients provide for screening purposes, such as medical and financial information, is not available or accessible to anyone but Preference employees, on the Web or otherwise.

"Security issues are real, real important ... In this day and age, people should be very cautious as to who they get involved with," Motchar said.

Preference Inc. is a locally owned company and has six employees. Motchar said Preference's clients range in age from 18 to 92, and he estimates around 1,000 couples have married after meeting through the service.