Bainbridge Couple – Alexis Saloutos and Nikos Spiliopoulos – Purchase The Marketplace in Lynwood and Will Add a Distinctive Greek Twist

Sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith and believe in yourselves before you discover where you’re heading. That’s the short answer as to why Alexis Saloutos and Nikos Spiliopoulos decided late last year to purchase The Marketplace coffee shop and restaurant and the accompanying Earth and Vine wine tasting room in Lynwood Center.

The businesses, located in Pleasant Beach Village, across from the Historic Lynwood Theater, were put on the market by John Jacobi, who purchased the former Blossom Hill development more than a dozen years ago. Since then, he launched a number of retail outlets, along with building out the adjoining condominiums, an Inn, and other restaurants and amenities.

The ambitious multi-use project had been in receivership for many years prior to Jacobi stepping in. Long-time islanders might remember the half completed buildings standing in the wind festooned with Tyvek insulation. Some referred to it as “The Tyvek Mansion.”

Jacobi, the founder of Seattle-based Windermere Real Estate and himself a years-long islander, had been looking for a number of years for potential buyers for The Marketplace and Earth and Vine. It turns out, Alexis, 41, and Nikos, 47, were in the right place at the right time.

“We weren’t planning to do anything on the island,” recalls Alexis, who grew up on Bainbridge, and is the daughter of well-known island photographer Pete Saloutos. “(But) people in the community kept asking us if we were going to open something. … When the wine bar closed, people reached out (again) and asked us to look into it.”

“We asked ourselves,” she continues, “if we did the wine bar, was there an opportunity to do the Marketplace as well, because it made more sense (to combine the two). … We decided to let ourselves be guided (by fate) – like a lot of things in our lives. Then we decided to go for it.”

The married couple, who have two grade school daughters, are not restaurant rookies by any means. They met in Greece 25 years ago, and they owned Agora, a Mediterranean food, wine, retail outlet and sit-down restaurant in Seattle since 2007. The business, now located on Capitol Hill, was recently sold.

Prior to the couple meeting – while Alexis was on a vacation in Greece – Nikos was in the hospitality industry in his native country and was involved in retail, restaurants and running a sports bar.

“I cannot tell you how lucky I feel, in that, in my mind they are the perfect people (to own the businesses) and will create a long-term legacy for their family and the community,” says Jacobi. “I know many of you know them, their reputation is impeccable, and I can’t wait to see how they take on the business and make it better than what I have done.”

To date, the new owners are still getting feet under them as they move to transform the two outlets into their own image and likeness. They are still awaiting a liquor license from the state liquor board, before they can begin serving well drinks from the bar, located in the middle of The Marketplace.

Once that permit is in hand, they will reopen Earth and Vine and extend the establishments hours from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Wine selections will likely reflect Nikos’ experience in the business. He’s had a side business of importing Greek wines since 2023.

“He’s very knowledgeable about wines and Greek wines in particular,” Alexis says. “It will be an area we’re really specialized in. We’ll serve natural and organic wines. (But) we like to offer what we like to enjoy. That’s important to us.”

The menu will change slightly, too, to reflect Nikos’ Greek heritage. Pastries such as Baklava will be a staple at The Marketplace, as well more homemade dishes and desserts. “We’re going to make more stuff in house,” Alexis promises, “(but) the menu will evolve.”

The coffee bar is likely to stay pretty much the same, as is the physical space itself. The roughly 2,500 square foot space “has so much potential,” she says. Down the road, Alexis and Nikos are anticipating holding more events at the locations. Nothing to date, though, is set in stone.

“We’re looking at themed evenings,” Alexis explains, “plus fresh new things; maybe an open mic night or a stand-up comedy night. Our goal is to find ways for people to come together.”

Nikos and Alexis, who both work in the business on a day-to-day basis, have brought back many of the previous management’s employees. “We’re hands on,” says Alexis, “but it’s important for us to build a strong, supportive team.”

The companies have 10-12 workers. One of their key employees is Tim Hart, who was a cook at the now shuttered Joe’s Restaurant nearby (part of Pleasant Beach Village) and is now taking on some of those same responsibilities at The Marketplace. “He has great energy. He’s very hard working,” says Alexis. “We’re lucky to have him.”

The couple admit it’s more challenging taking over an existing business than starting one from scratch, but they see the potential unfolding before them. “The sky’s the limit on all the offerings we can create,” Alexis says, cracking a smile. “We just have to figure out how to streamline everything and make it more cohesive (by) looking at the functionality as well as the fundamental stuff – like getting permits.”

Once that all that’s done, she adds, the shops “will become a lively vibrant space, where people will look forward to being here (and) where families can bring their kids and feel good about being here. … We want it to be an extension of their own homes.”

Photos courtesy of Pete Saloutos 

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