A new gathering place has opened its doors on the west side of Marina del Rey, California.
Stoa Wine Bar & Market—founded by hospitality veterans Constantine Savvides and Richard Peters—transforms the spirit of Athens’ ancient Stoa Poikile, where philosophers like Zeno once gathered, into a modern-day third space that celebrates the rituals of food, wine, and conversation.
Designed in collaboration with interior designer Chris Collins, Stoa transitions from a sunlit market and deli by day to an intimate wine bar by night. The experience, rooted in the principles of Stoicism, is intentionally simple and timeless.
The philosophy of form
Guests arrive at a heated patio strung with amber lights, where tables cluster around an olive tree and a casually parked Vespa nods to Mediterranean summers.
Inside, the design embraces imperfection and evolution, influenced by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi. Worn leather, softened edges, and scuffed concrete create a layered backdrop meant to grow more beautiful over time.
The wine bar is anchored by the Book Lounge: an alcove wrapped in crimson velvet and leather banquettes, with marble tables and shelves of vintage books. The area recalls the painted porches of ancient Greece and the salons of midcentury Europe. Warm amber lighting evokes the glow of dusk in a coastal town as well.
Curated goods at Stoa Wine Bar & Market
In the market, arched niches and recessed shelving frame a thoughtfully sourced selection of Alpine cheeses, charcuterie, small-production wines, and other fare.
This fall, the venue will introduce a Philosopher in Residence program—beginning with Professor Jacob Stump of Northeastern University—that invites guests to “order” guided conversations from a menu of timeless questions.
“Stoa had been quietly brewing for years, but its opening feels especially resonant now,” say Savvides and Peters. “In an era of AI and digital noise, people are craving places that feel human again—where you can meet a neighbor’s eye, share a bottle, and lose track of time. West Marina felt like the perfect canvas: a peaceful, deeply local neighborhood that lacked a true gathering place. Stoa fills that gap, not with flash or speed, but with something softer and more soulful.”
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