Meet The Team
Peter Stog
Owner
I was born in the food capital of Greece -- Thessaloniki -- where waking up to a “café” and warm cheese pie is almost religious. These days, I’m all for making food a part of every adventure. There’s nothing like exploring the mountains with my family; waking up lakeside to cook a hearty breakfast in a cast-iron skillet is my idea of a Saturday morning. That’s why I’ve always found chef Eduardo Garcia’s ventures so fascinating. The idea of traveling the world and finding daring flavors along the way really peaks my interest. Between my curiosity for food and adventure and my weakness for a perfect cup of coffee, I guess LOKL was bound to happen sooner or later, huh?
My LOKL Go-To: I’m a baklava guy, but the prosciutto & mozzarella sandwich is also great.
Hobbies: photography, spending time outdoors with my family, maintaining my title as LOKL’s resident “coffee snob”
Peter Stog
Owner
Emma Thauvin
Coffee Aficionado
To me, the best way to explore a culture is through food, so it was natural for me to stumble upon and quickly fall in love with the treats, drinks, and ambiance at LOKL. A local (pun intended) cafe with a European vibe reminds me of my second home -- France. That’s why I had to be a part of the team.
My LOKL Go-To: Cold Brew with Oat Milk and Vanilla and Lavender syrup, or the Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookie
Hobbies: playing volleyball, painting, knitting/crocheting
Emma Thauvin
Coffee Aficionado
Ingrith Serrano
Content Creator
I consider myself a foodie and micro-influencer, so when a friend told me about this cool, new cafe in town, naturally I had to check it out. Growing up in Ecuador, drinking a morning coffee was a family tradition. With its homey and cozy vibes, LOKL brings back those memories of a beautifully crafted cup every time.
My LOKL Go-To: Oat Milk Latte with a piece of baklava or a cookie
Hobbies: taking pictures of food, boxing, hiking, and writing on my blog
Ingrith Serrano
Content Creator
Yianni Arvanites
Owner
I love to drink coffee so much that I decided opening my own cafe would be more economical...When my dad came to America, he worked his way up from being the dishwasher to becoming the eventual owner of George’s Coffee Shop. He made me realize that something as simple as a cup of coffee could bring two strangers together. As a kid, I’d sit there and think, “I want to do that when I grow up.” Over the years, I developed a passion for experimenting in the kitchen. I love sharing my creations with others and putting a smile on their face. When Peter and I opened LOKL, that childhood dream came true.
My LOKL Go-To: Freddo Cappuccino or Cortado
Hobbies: crunching numbers as a CPA, baking, (undiscovered) amateur stand up comedian
Yianni Arvanites
Owner
Alba Orellana-Reyes
BOH
I have a passion for cleaning and organizing, which makes me love what I do at LOKL. The fun staff and delicious food creates an enjoyable work environment. I also really like coffee, so I look forward to it
every day.
My LOKL Go-To: Greek Coffee
Hobbies: spending time with my family, going to the park, trying out new restaurants
Alba Orellana-Reyes
BOH
Ines Robertson-Lavalle
Marketing Strategist
I have fond childhood memories of baking with my mom and sister. Along the way, I developed such a passion for spending time in the kitchen that I began an edible cookie dough company in the 7th grade. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, my business closed. When one door closes, another one opens; for me this door was LOKL. The positive atmosphere and collaborative staff equips me with an ongoing learning experience and a unique perspective of the small business industry.
My LOKL Go-To: Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin
Hobbies: baking, running, learning new languages, people-watching (not in a creepy way, I promise)
Ines Robertson-Lavalle
Marketing Strategist
Anastasia Arvanites
Digital Content Creator
In my family, the kitchen is the heart of a home. I grew up cooking alongside my mother, learning the ins and outs of flavor -- and more importantly, the beauty of taking risks. I’ve always been one to choose the safest option, but in the kitchen, it’s all about trial and error and finding that perfect combination of ingredients. Just like flavors, finding the perfect words or technique is always worth the risk. I guess that’s why I love to write and ended up in marketing. LOKL gave me the chance to combine all of these passions.
My LOKL Go-To: Frappe with Oat Milk
Hobbies: creating allergen-friendly recipes for my blog, yoga, writing poetry
Anastasia Arvanites
Digital Content Creator
Ray Williams
Coffee Aficionado
Back in my filmmaking days, international cafes always provided a safe place to rest while traveling. There, I could back up the day’s footage, get free wifi, and of course gain the energy to go back out and do it again the next day. Before LOKL opened, I looked inside in passing and was hit with a wave of nostalgia. Since then, I’ve worked hard to establish an atmosphere that is set up to celebrate and encourage the daily series of caffeine fixes and coffee chats.
My LOKL Go-To: Overnight Oats,
hands down
Hobbies: daydreaming, traveling, photography, storytelling