Stavros Markalas, Peter Zotis and Filio Fotiade
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are fantastic. They have 191 nutrients
and have been used from the time of
Alexander the Great.”
Zotis, who exudes gentleness and a
low-key but definite joie de vivre, said
he now feels fantastic and wanted to
bring these ancient herbal remedies
to his beloved Astoria community. He
sells those herbs, superfoods and other
assorted delicacies at Loose Leaf, where
one can buy such herbs as milk thistle,
peppermint and lemon balm; drink a
mocktail with a delicious combination of
blueberry, lavender and lemonade; or
just have a cup of freshly brewed coffee.
He can also offer suggestions for herbal
cures for whatever ails you, as well as
superfoods. Customers can also go to
his online store at shoplooseleaf.com to
buy the herbs they need. Zotis also plans
to expand nationally, with potential
franchises across the country.
Many of the herbs come from his
hometown of Kastoria, a northern city
at the foothills of the Balkan Mountains,
between 3,500 to 5,000 feet above sea
level.
“There is very little industry so we have
extremely pure land, very clean water,” he
said. “These herbs and superfoods have
been used for thousands of years and do
great things for people. And there has