Paul and Sandy Edgerley, owners of boston’s preeminent social club The ‘Quin House, reflect on the first three years.
Sandy and Paul Edgerley inside Bondo, the club’s Japanese restaurant.
On a weekday morning, Sandy Edgerley enjoys a cup of tea at Café Q, one of several restaurants in The ‘Quin House (thequinhouse.com), the social club she opened with her husband Paul. From her table, she can see a former ambassador, a prominent person in private equity, two nonprofit leaders and a young tech entrepreneur. “The germ of the idea for the club was always about community,” she says. “And now it’s vibrant, it’s busy, it’s cross-generational. We have a very diverse mix of members across industries, and membership is gender-balanced. When I come in, I’m like wow, there’s a cool group here.”
Three years ago, following the height of Covid, it was hard to imagine that people would ever gather again. But today, The ‘Quin House, which maintains a waiting list for membership, is busy from the moment the work day begins to the wee hours of the night. The members, who range in age from 20 and 30-somethings to retirees 40 years their senior, all use the club in different ways. The Edgerleys have been successful curating their diverse community, but now, how do they keep them all happy?
Every week, the Edgerleys review survey responses from members who regularly visit the club in some way, whether by attending events or enjoying meals. They closely pay attention to the comments, especially the constructive criticism. “We always look to see what we need to work on and what trends we should be addressing. We want to make sure that we’re continuing to improve,” says Sandy. Although, they realize that they can’t make everyone happy all the time. “We need to have excellence across different dimensions all the time, but we also want to think about it in a segmented way. Organizations often fail because they try to do too many things rather than focus on the handful of things that can make a difference,” says Paul.
The interior of The Terrace, a sunny space for enjoying a bite and a drink at The ‘Quin House.
Notable additions coming to The ‘Quin House this fall are Lunasol, a Latin-inspired restaurant, and Fernando’s Tequila Bar. The decision to add new dining options was motivated by a desire to keep things fresh. Bondo, the upscale Japanese restaurant, is beloved by many, but “it’s expensive enough that for some of the members, it’s a price point they probably can’t do as frequently,” says Paul, and Café Q is a quieter vibe. “We use the Disney World analogy—you need a new ride every two to three years,” says Paul.
Another area the Edgerleys are leaning into is fostering connections. The community is inside the doors, now how can they build new and meaningful relationships? One way is through the club’s extensive programming, which includes everything from book talks to comedy nights to CEO leadership talks to volunteer activity days. The ‘Quin House is introducing a social component to each event so members will no longer simply arrive and be passive observers, but will have the chance to interact with the other members who are there with shared interests. “So far, that has been really successful as an organic way for unexpected encounters that lead to meaningful connections,” says Sandy.
Encouraging members to interact informally and spontaneously in the hopes of building larger, engaged networks is also being done through The ‘Quin Impact Fund, the club’s philanthropic arm that the Edgerleys are strongly committed to. Co-chaired by Linda Whitlock and Kanna Kunchala, the fund contributes to local nonprofits making a difference in distinct pillars. Members are encouraged to bring ideas for how the club can support organizations, and they have the chance to hear pitches and vote on the allocation of funds. “A benefit of membership is that you’re part of The ‘Quin Impact Fund automatically, it’s part of our ethos. Each member is contributing to the community in a positive way. And hopefully, by proxy, members will learn about ways in which they can begin or enhance their own philanthropic journey.”
Walking through The ‘Quin House today, the Edgerleys are proud of what they’ve created. “The real magic is in the mix of people. We hope this is something important for Boston for generations. Our goal is to be the most extraordinary club in the world. We’re lucky because we have the best members, so we should be able to accomplish that,” says Paul.
Photography by: JENNA PEFFLEY; ERIC LEVIN
