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Where does your Doll Meetup Meet?

Dec 16, 2013

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    1. Hello everyone,

      I'm trying to get a local doll meetup started, but I'm having trouble thinking of physical locations to meet. Where does your group meet? And do you have any suggestions as to where you'd suggest a new group start meeting?
       
      #1 caitirin, Dec 16, 2013
    2. People's houses and local restaurants mostly :) We've had a couple at coffee shops and libraries as well. And one really fun outdoor one at a local university a few years ago
       
      #2 arrowchild, Dec 16, 2013
    3. For us, normally coffee shops, restaurants, parks and houses. I usually prefer home meets, it's easier to spread out all the dolls without worrying about kids or strangers messing with them, there's more room to hang out, nobody has to stress over "normal" people giving weird looks or asking questions, there's no pressure to spend money for occupying a table, and workshops are easier.

      Though for a group that doesn't know each other well, somewhere public might be less intimidating. It can be stressful having 10+ people in your house, especially when you don't know them well enough to trust that they won't steal or break anything. In that case, I'd suggest reserving a private room at a restaurant or coffee shop, if possible. We have a few local places where renting a room is free, you just have to reserve it in advance and everybody attending has to buy food or a drink. That keeps the non-doll people stress away, but also means nobody has to worry about strangers in their house.
       
      #3 CloakedSchemer, Dec 16, 2013
    4. I like that idea, of reserving a room. I might be amenable to having doll people over once I knew them a bit better :)
       
      #4 caitirin, Dec 16, 2013
    5. Well, if it's just a small meetup, it's usually a cafe/restaurant or a public park. I actually didn't know that somewhere people even meet at someone's house, sounds cool tho. But we live mostly in flats here, it's hard to find a house in the city and a person who'll let everyone in.

      Also when we have our big themed dollpas with the stands and competition between compositions and prizes and all, we rent two halls in the pub, so there's the entrance fee for everyone. But there's a whole huge bunch of people, more than a hundred.

      Oh, i'd love to live in the country where people live in houses and meetup at your house is ok. I'd hold meetups in my house...
       
      #5 asoeverso, Dec 16, 2013
    6. Depends on what's available in your town or region. You really will have to do some scouting around, and maybe make some calls.

      Restaurants are ok if they have an event room or catering-size table or room you can have for several hours (usually you'll have to commit to eating a meal in lieu of room rental). Sitting in the main part of a restaurant can be uncomofortable if they're busy and looking to turn over the tables. And/or only have small tables available, which leave very little doll space away from food or drink splashes.

      Look into your local library - libraries often have meeting or speaking-event rooms they're willing to let be used by members without a charge. There might be food/drink restrictions, but there's usually lots of table space. You might have to make a definite appointment way ahead of time to reserve the room.

      Warm weather is great, as it opens up parks, scenic spots, outdoor areas for restaurants and local attractions. Depending on the location (such as during some event), you may have to get an okay from the organizers to have a camping-out group taking photos.

      In New York City, there's an abundance of "public spaces", both outdoor ("pocket parks") and indoors, attached to large business buildings. You could check for likewise in the nearest central-city location near you.

      Could be worthwhile to ask around the group that want to have the meet, in case someone knows someone with a party room or meeting area in their business, or has a family member who's member of a local lodge or social association that could be persuaded to loan you some space if they're not using it in the afternoon.

      People's homes would sound ideal, except there's that bit about inviting almost-strangers into your home and keeping an eye on things. The temptation to show off one's whole home and collection is strong, but we've heard of people who have found missing items after a meet. Yes, we're all in the hobby, but you don't know what RL proclivities or weaknesses some other person may have.

      If there's a big mall by you, you can also ask about the chance of holding your meet in any meeting room they may have available to the public, or even in a corner of the public areas. Doll meets do promote interest from the civilizations (aka free entertainment), but you don't want to be in an area where you're surrounded by people who can have access to your dolls. Likewise, you don't want to be balancing your dolls on the ledges around water features.
       
      #6 hobbywhelmed, Dec 16, 2013
    7. We have met at a park that has a covered area and some picnic tables. It's been really nice because everyone contributes, no one person has to do it all!
       
      #7 tavendano, Dec 16, 2013
    8. Dessert/chocolate shops sometimes have private rooms that they rent (usually for children's birthday parties). I went to a meetup in the back of a cafe/chocolate shop--there wasn't a cover charge, but the shop needed a minimum number of people, and we were expected to buy candy or a drink.

      The local meetup group where I live (South Louisiana) has met at a couple of museums, which can be really nice for a small group. Usually there's some kind of sitting area, and as long as you're fairly quiet, museum employees seem to like doll people.
       
      #8 wildwoodflower, Dec 16, 2013
    9. A meetup that I sadly sadly missed out on was held at an "Indoor Garden". I thought that was a great idea, lots of photo opportunities!
       
      #9 Bambi Darling, Dec 16, 2013
    10. My meet up group goes to the Mitsuwa Marketplace, it's a Japanese mall/grocery store, it's really neat. Usually we spend the whole day there. My mom even loves going since we eat lunch then head on to the meet up spot. XD Last two times we procured the meet up table and claimed it as our own before other people could grab it. Usually we're way in the back by one of the gift shops since it's quieter and out of the way. XD One meet up was held at someone's house, a Halloween party and we all brought a dish since it was a potluck.
       
      #10 Arashi Uchiha, Dec 17, 2013
    11. The Minnesota group meets at a library. Members can reserve the space for free and it comes with plenty of tables and chairs. For me, the library is the best place to meet, because I don't like mixing food with dolls, and my allergies prevent me from going outside or to other people's homes. We also don't have to worry about the weather. :)
       
      #11 Zatoba, Dec 17, 2013
    12. We usually meet at a cafe in our local shopping mall. They have really nice coffee and everything and it's quiet enough... plus the waitresses even came know us and always look out for the new things we bring along xD;;;
       
      #12 Soenatte, Dec 17, 2013
    13. ooh I love the idea of an indoor garden!
       
      #13 caitirin, Dec 17, 2013
    14. We usually meet up at the Royal Festival Hall in London :)
      But tomorrow I'm meeting a doll person who happens to be at my University, in my town! :D
       
      #14 Arlo, Dec 17, 2013
    15. If you live in an apartment complex with a clubhouse, you can usually reserve a party room.
       
      #15 Alewife, Dec 17, 2013
    16. The Nashville BJD group has met up at local parks (when the weather is nice) as well as cafes, libraries, botanical gardens, malls, and Opryland, a massive hotel complex with several atriums and indoor gardens (great for cold/inclement weather). :)
       
      #16 vadafade, Dec 18, 2013
    17. Do you have a Denny's near you? They have a private room & we meet there. It doesn't cost anything but we encourage folks to buy something to eat since they are giving us the room for free. We also have a potluck picnic every summer at a local park. Both places are private so we don't have to worry about the dolls or weird looks.
       
      #17 Gwydion, Dec 18, 2013
    18. My groups meets at a Perkins, the people that run it are really nice and let us have the backroom/sunroom area.
       
      #18 Tiella, Dec 18, 2013
    19. the groups i go to meet in: local tea shop (bubble tea namely XD); homes; apartment meeting areas; parks.
       
      #19 KageNoHoshimi, Dec 18, 2013
    20. We mostly meet at a bookstore, but then again there are only two of us, lol! I wish there were more doll collectors in my area.
       
      #20 renee_chan, Dec 18, 2013
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