General News
21 September, 2023
Town staple reopened in Avoca by locals
Described as a cornerstone of the Avoca and district community, the town’s milkbar is officially back up and running and new co-owners, Simon Davidson and Kellie Milne, couldn’t be more appreciative of the community’s support. The business had...
Described as a cornerstone of the Avoca and district community, the town’s milkbar is officially back up and running and new co-owners, Simon Davidson and Kellie Milne, couldn’t be more appreciative of the community’s support.
The business had been closed for some time until the pair bit the bullet and bought the High Street store six months ago, beginning extensive renovations ahead of its reopening in August.
Originally built in the early 1950s, Mr Davidson said the milkbar was something that had always been a staple of the town.
“I’ve been around a long time here and the milkbar was an institution that needed to be open again, it’s been here forever and a day,” he said.
“Kellie and I joked about it one day saying we could buy it and open it back up but it’s not something we ever thought we’d do.
“The locals loved having the milkbar in town and it was a sad day when it closed — it needed to come back and here we are.”
The business harkens back to the simpler times of corner shops with warm food, essentials like bread and milk and of course classic lollies on offer.
“We saw an opportunity when the business came up for sale to try something new and support the community,” Mr Davidson said.
“We’re basically looking to cater for what the community wants and we’ll expand our stock down the track based on what people need.
“We’re just a real community shop, we’re employing four locals here which puts money back into the community and we’re sponsoring things like the Avoca Primary School for Energy Breakthrough.
“We’re really just happy to be here and we want to do right by the people, if someone comes in at closing time and wants a burger or something we’ll make it up for them, it’s no trouble — we’re more than happy to do that.”
The business is open from 6.30 am until 8.30 pm and Mr Davidson said he couldn’t thank the community enough for their support.
“We can’t thank the Avoca and outlying community enough for their support, everyone has been amazing,” he said.
“We couldn’t have asked for better support and I love them all for that.”
The Avoca Milkbar is located at 153 High Street, Avoca.