Got Plans? New Local Business Ensures You Will

There are the Groupons and Living Socials, which offer discount deals en masse. There are dating web sites such as Match.com, which help singles become couples. But nothing to help couples get out and have fun.

Now, a group of local businessmen have launched a company that offers just that.

Larry Roth of Vienna, Robert Schumann of Oakton and Richard Wittemore of Herndon -- founders of local tech company Cinea Inc. -- recently created Date Night, a new startup that offers "date packages" to couples.

Couples sign up for a free membership. Every Monday, three date packages arrive in their inbox for potential purchase.

Roth, the chief marketing officer of Date Night, says the trio got the idea because they are married with children.

"We live this problem," he said. "We thought 'If someone could just make this easier for me...' "

Upon researching the idea, the men found that no such service existed. 

Members fill out preference forms about what they like to do: Are they sports enthusiasts? Foodies?

"We take care of all the details after that," Roth said. "We've got people on our staff who look at events coming up and know all the corners and what to do offer the things that are unique."

Some recent examples: Tickets to the NCAA basketball tournament at Verizon Center, a homemade pasta class taught by a top area chef and a number of musical events at local venues like in Alexandria.

Packages typically range from $50 to $150, Roth said. The company makes money because it is often able to procure tickets and services at a discount.

"We're not a discount service," he said. "People pay what they would normally pay, depending on the event."

Since the company launched in mid-March, more than 800 couples have signed up. Roth says that Date Night has plans to expand into other cities. There are also plans to add applications and features such as "check with your spouse" so members can see if their significant others are available to coordinate with babysitters.

"People are bombarded with things all week long," Roth said. "Then they go to make plans and just give up and go to a movie. We pare it down. We are smart people who know what is good."