Olympia Milk Bar: Iconic Parramatta Rd milk bar set to be sold

After years of lying in a derelict state, an iconic Sydney milk bar might have finally found a new owner. But questions remain about the future of the historic site.

The Olympia Milk Bar in 2017

Rumours are swirling about the future of one of Sydney’s most iconic milk bars after years of lying in a derelict state.

Over the decades, The Olympia Milk Bar, situated at 190 Parramatta Rd, Stanmore, has built up a cult following since it first opened in 1939.

But after years of falling into disrepair, the owner of the milk bar, Nicholas Fotiou, aged in his 90s, boarded up the store for good in 2021.

And now, for the first time in 60 years, the site of the iconic milk bar has been listed for sale.

It is understood the site went to auction earlier this month, but Raine & Horne real estate agent Luke Smith declined to confirm whether the property had been sold, only adding the clients wanted privacy at this stage.

The once bustling milk bar now sits boarded up. Picture: Odessa Blain.

The front entrance to what once was the Olympia Milk Bar. Picture: Odessa Blain.

The Olympia Milk Bar had a legion of fans — one Facebook Group, specifically set up for lovers of this Inner West institution, boasts well over 5000 members — and many locals are stating their hopes for the restoration of this beloved store have been dashed and gone.

One Inner West resident, Lorraine Brookes, said she believes more should be done to preserve buildings with a rich heritage.

The Olympic Picture Theatre in 1910, which was refurbished and reopened as the Olympia Milk Bar in 1939.

The stretch of Parramatta Rd where the milk bar sits was once a bustling area, as seen in this 1973 photograph.

“It’s sad to see local iconic buildings fall into disrepair due to lack of funds or government grants — the Olympia was just another heritage facility in a conga line of tragic stories,” Ms Brookes said.

“A milk bar museum run by the National Trust, now wouldn’t that be amazing,” she added.

Brett Bently, who was born in Annandale in the 1960s, said he felt like this milk bar was part of his family growing up.

“In this throw away society we live in today, it’s sad to see this part of me disappear — it’s like losing a friend,” he said.

The Olympia Milk Bar in 2017.

Olympia Milk Bar in Stanmore

In 2017, the milk bar was listed on the council’s Local Environment Plan, which noted its historical significance as evidence of the once bustling Parramatta Rd precinct in the early 20th century and the shopfront’s fit-out importance “as a rare intact shop fit-out from this period”.

“The building, originally a billiard room associated with a skating rink at 192-200 Parramatta Rd, refurbished and reopened in 1939 as the Olympia Milk Bar,” the document states.

“The Olympia Milk Bar has retained its name and fabric from 1939.

“(It) is rare for its surviving 1939 shopfront and interior shop fit-out, which is historically associated with the Olympia Picture Theatre.”