text by:Rachel Love
He has worked in the furniture industry for nearly four decades, his passion is music and good food, and he loves to entertain. Christos Liokouras moved his business, his gregarious nature and his artistic flair to Bali in2006,and this last year has seen the birth of what you could call, a new empire.
Christos Liokouras is the man behind 'Lio Collection' – a network of outlets showcasing a diverse collection of fine furniture, designed and created by the Company's factory in Java and complemented by Indonesia-sourced artwork and home-wares. But that's not al. In January, Christos became the front man at 'Penterai' restaurant on Jl Raya Seminyak, renovating and decorating the space with many of the furnishings, lanterns, paintings and statues that can be found in his shops. He then formed his own brand, 'Lio-Koustyx', and six evenings a week he serenades his dinner guests withGreek and Latino music. Panterei presents traditional, homemade Greek cuisine, “the best Greek food outside of Greece”, prepared with feeling, cooking with authenticity and served from the heart. The place is full and pumping every night.
Greek Entrepreneur
Hailing a family of nine, the Egyptian – born Greek national – who spent over 30 years in Denmark before choosing to make Bali his home – started out as an employee in a furniture factory, “until my brothers and I decided that we could do it for ourselves”. After establishing a family business in Europe, Christos would regularly travel to Java because the company, which grew fast, exported so much from Indonesia. In 2005, he moved his office to Jakarta but was spending too much time in the car and so decided that Bali would be a better option. Today, he has seven stores – located in Kerobokan, the Oberoi area, Dhyana Pura, Seminyak, Jimbaran and on the Sanur Bypass, with one more due to be opened very soon in Ubud. Christos explains, “I wanted to attract customers by positioning outlets in all of the strategic points in southern Bali. Each one is like a business card for my two big showrooms in Kerobokan”. Interestingly the two Keroboka emporiums offer very contrasting mark. “Lio Premuim” features stylish, high-quality furniture, which is designed in-house, often custom-made and very much in demand by five-star hotels. The other showroom is reminiscent of a bazaar with a more eclectic collection, and it's essential to barter, all prices are negotiable! Overall, the Lio concept blends Oriental and minimalist design; a fusion that Christos maintains, “can't be found in Europe, because no one there can make it”. This is probably why Lio has become an international brand, with family-owned and franchised enterprises in Denmark, Germany, Australia, Greece, and the USA, and others anticipated in Iran and Dubai.
Greek Gourmand & Minstrel
And why did he feel a need to incorporate a restaurant within his empire? Christos reasons, “Panterei serves as a marketing tool for Lio Collection. I take my clients there for dinner; likewise I often take my restaurant customers to my showrooms”. He adds, “But in particular it's because I love to play the guitar and sing!” Asked how he finds time for his shops, restaurant and band, he replies, “time is only a question of priority. Yes, I work hard but the atmosphere is relaxed, and I enjoy what I'm doing.”
Greek Philanthropist
On the subject of future additions to his empire, Christos reveals, “a cargo company, a Lio spa and some luxury accommodations is still on my agenda, but I have no plans to expand beyond that. What I really care about is making other people happy, so my greatest wish is to build a residence, here in bali, for homeless mothers and their children. I am 100% committed to this and, already, a number of my customers have expressed a desire to sponsor the projecr. Oncce done, it will give me so much pleasure to go to there every day, play my guitar and sing to the children”.
Christos Liokouras knows what he wants and how to get it. So far he has proved himself to be unstoppable; he is an achiever and a man of his word.
