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5 Questions with Creatives: Dyandra Bonet Mendoza
nique said. “None of us are out there dating, and there are plenty of apps for that now, but I think everybody is open to making new friendships. Those are the kind of connections that we try to build on this place.”
Veronique’s husband and co-owner of Emerald Republic, Phil Zayas actually “It was a lot of fun and it goes quick. You just get to know a little bit about the person sitting across from you and share a beer,” Phil said. “Speaking as someone who is socially awkward, it was a great way to meet someone without pressure. It’s only five minutes—and if you totally bomb it, you get another five minutes with someone new. Even then, it’s not about impressing someone like you’re on a date—it's just conversation.”
You see these guys? They became friends so fast, bro.
Speed friending was one of the last events Emerald Republic hosted before being shut down for COVID-19. As a recently opened business, opening its doors in Dec. 2019, Emerald Republic was only open for three and half months before quarantine was
implemented across the country. They quickly adapted to the community needs offering filtered water refills when grocery store shelves were empty, and they stayed afloat selling to-go orders.
As a testament to the popularity of the speed friending event, first hosted back in March, Emerald Republic plans to host it regularly once a month—including making it one of the first events to be hosted by the brewery when social distancing is over, bars and breweries officially reopen and events are able to take place again. Veronique explained that speed friending may look a little different—seats and tables placed farther apart, but at the heart of it, the event is supposed to promote socialization and human connection, which people need now more than ever.
