The Feed Me job board is back.
Tinder's co-founder bought a hotel, influencers are dissolving their filler, and more.
Hello everyone. I’ve been talking to people all day to try to get to the bottom of this alleged Bezos purchase (Conde Nast…). We all know how that turned out for The Washington Post. Maybe someone at Michael M. Grynbaum’s book party will know.
Today’s letter includes: the co-founder of Tinder bought a hotel in California, I spoke to
about private jets, influencers are dissolving their filler, and J. Crew’s custom inventory for their Nantucket pop-up.
Feed Me launched a job board last year with a simple goal: connecting the internet's most discerning readers with jobs worth showing up to an office for. Or at least worth getting on Zoom for.
The new Feed Me job board will live off of Substack. We've upgraded from a shared Google Sheet to custom site where you can search and submit roles (thank you to Feed Me’s developer). It's better than LinkedIn because the jobs are submitted by Feed Me readers (listings are free), the site will be updated daily, and I will have approval of what gets listed which means it's designed for the ambitious.
And a huge special thanks to my friends at David, the world's sexiest protein bar, for being the launch sponsor of the board.
Make some moves, everyone. 🤑
LVMH recently sold their only US hotel property, the historic El Encanto Hotel in Santa Barbara, for $82mm to Justin (co-founder of Tinder) and Tyler Mateen. I was told by their communications team that the brothers plan on investing between $20-40mm into the property, which has hosted everyone from Clark Gable to FDR and John F. Kennedy Jr.
There were several facets of this story that were interesting to me – I secretly want to open a hotel with my sister, I’m curious how a tech founder will have the time for a hospitality side hustle. So I spoke to Justin and Tyler to learn more:
This project (running a hotel, buying it for this price from LVMH) obviously wasn’t a small feat. What made you want to invest in hospitality for the next chapter of your career?
Justin Mateen: It's not the next chapter of my career as I will be keeping my day job! It is more like a new side story I care a lot about. I've always loved visiting great hotels, and this one felt underutilized. I saw potential in it—and selfishly, I plan to stay there often. It's a passion project we plan to keep forever in our family, so I figured why not make it exactly the kind of place I'd like to check into!
Tyler Mateen: I’ve spent the last decade turning around shopping centers and entertainment districts—places people had written off. El Encanto felt like the same story: an incredible asset hiding in plain sight. Everyone wants flashy urban hotels or new development; we wanted soul. This wasn’t a spreadsheet deal. It was a chance to bring one of the most iconic properties in California back to life. The fact that LVMH walked away just made it more interesting. The hotel never really had a clear identity—we’re going to change that. We’re building a real point of view around it, something with edge and character that feels true to Santa Barbara and timeless at the same time.
“I would be proud for this to continue to be a place where couples choose to get married. After all, helping people fall in love has always been a part of my story... Maybe we'll even offer a discount to couples who matched on Tinder :)”
Rooms are $1000+/night, and the property attracts luxury guests. Are you going to market to a new type of customer? Are you going to have weddings?
JM: We love local guests and want to do everything we can to make them feel comfortable and at home at El Encanto. I'd love to collaborate with some of Santa Barbara's favorite coffee shops, bakeries, and artisans to bring that local flavor into the experience.
We would love to have joyous occasions celebrated at El Encanto—I love weddings. I would be proud for this to continue to be a place where couples choose to get married. After all, helping people fall in love has always been a part of my story... Maybe we'll even offer a discount to couples who matched on Tinder :)
TM: Luxury today isn’t about gold faucets. It’s about space, silence, and not being in a hotel that feels like a brand campaign. Our guest is still high-end, but maybe they surf. Maybe they care more about the olive trees than the wine list. We’ll host weddings, sure—but only the ones where the bride’s wearing Celine and the DJ has a record label.
I say members’ club, you say….
JM: ..Never say never?
TM: Let’s do it right. No velvet ropes, no Soho House clones. We want something more intimate, more grounded. A mix of Santa Barbara locals, LA creative nomads, and Europeans who disappear for a month at a time. A space where you can have a mezcal at 3PM on a Tuesday and talk architecture, not TikTok.
What is your favorite hotel in New York and why?
JM: Lately, I've been staying at Fouquet's. It has a really calm, elegant mood, with great design, warm lighting and a European vibe. I love that the bar and dinner restaurant has become a local hangout. I always try to book the same front corner room. I love the padded mats they place besides the bed and the subtle scent—it's all about the attention to detail that makes it feel like a home, not just a hotel.
TM: In New York, I love the Bowery—it’s dark, sexy, and doesn’t try too hard. I also like the freshness and energy of Fouquet’s. Both have their own distinct personality, which I respect. But if I had to pick my favorite city hotel anywhere, it’s probably Chiltern Firehouse in London. There’s just something about the feeling it gives you. It’s stylish but lived-in, cool without being self-conscious. That kind of emotional connection is what we’re chasing with El Encanto
Per Bloomberg, a spokesperson for LVMH declined to comment on the transaction but said LVMH plans to open a hotel in Miami in 2028.
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I saw at a party last weekend in Sag Harbor and he told me about a story he was working on for WSJ. My reaction was: It’s all happening in group chats. I was excited to see the story, which is about billionaires brokering seats in their private jets, go live this morning. I texted Andrew this morning to say congrats. He replied, “If there’s a crisis or problem afflicting the one-percent, there’s a 500-person WhatsApp group forming.”
Le Veau d’Or’s bar director launched a wonderful newsletter. I met Sarah Morrissey first through Instagram, then in-person last week when I ate at Le Veau d’Or with my husband for my birthday. She was a little like a bartender in an old movie who can diagnose your relationship ills, cure your writer’s block, or give you a lead on a mystery case that’s gone cold. She’s kind of the romantic ideal of a bartender that you’re supposed to encounter at moments of narrative importance in New York, but in practice is exceedingly rare. We need more restaurant critics and food writers who have worked in the industry. I don’t think this take is hot – I’m repeatedly disappointed by the food writing I read both on here and in my favorite magazines. Like my vermouth and soda served with my martini, Sarah really is sparkling. Excited to continue reading this.
A lot of influencers are dissolving their filler. In these last few months, Hallie Batchelder, Brielle Biermann, and Halley Kate have opened up about their filler experiences.
Do any of you know about international maritime law? I heard a rumor this week about a well-known coconut water company dealing with some inventory issues due to pirates.
J. Crew’s Nantucket pop-up is selling “New England-inspired merch” and souvenirs.
spreadthejelly getting the love it deserves!
Recently came across this job board for interns on Loyola Marymount’s website : https://careers.lmu.edu/jobs/?stag%5B0%5D=entertainment-tv-film