Saturday 10 September 2011

St Kilda, milk bar culture


Milk-bars were everywhere when I was growing up. In New Zealand, apparently, they were called 'dairies'. Hence, the children's book 'Hairy Maclarey from Donaldson's Dairy'. I suspect, nowadays, they have been replaced by the 24/7 Convenience Store.

My friend, Di, was wary of this particular milk-bar. She had never been into it in her 15 years just up the road. This is the red-light district. More on this tomorrow.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can't begin to imagine what 'Mixed Business' refers to. Given its location in the red-light district, that's probably just as well!

Jim said...

Love the old milk bars.

Kay L. Davies said...

I think they called them "dairies" in England, too, didn't they?
No new news from Kirsten, I see. That's a good sign, right?
— K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Chattahoochee Valley Daily said...

Well, you know what they say...milk does a body good : )

Rae Walter said...

Looks like you are in great spot in Melb. I love staying in St Kilda, just so diverse and so much to see. Look forward to more of the red light! Have a great weekend and stay in Vic.

Bob Crowe said...

So what is for sale in a milk bar other than the white stuff? I'm intrigued by the term "mixed business." It sounds suspicious.

Ann said...

You don't see these much any more. There used to one on the corner of the street where I now live. I remember going there after school and getting a chocolate malted milkshake. Its a general store now.

brattcat said...

Milk bar has such an innocent ring in these American ears.

Thérèse said...

Just a nice name which got mixed up!

Stefan Jansson said...

Mixed business in the red light district. Sound intriguing. I will be back tomorrow!

Joe said...

I have such fond memories of the corner milk bar. It's sad that they have all but disappeared. Went for a walk in Brighton the other day and passed what was once a lazy corner milk bar to discover it is now a trendy cafe all abuzz.

Joe said...

I have such fond memories of the corner milk bar. It's sad that they have all but disappeared. Went for a walk in Brighton the other day and passed what was once a lazy corner milk bar to discover it is now a trendy cafe all abuzz.