Heathmont’s Barclays Cafe to be reborn as The Milk and Wine Co next month
A beloved Heathmont cafe which closed last year after 17 years of trading will be reborn next month — and if you like a drop of wine, you’ll be in for a treat.
Outer East
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One of Heathmont’s favourite meeting places — which suddenly closed in September — will reopen as a cafe and wine bar next month.
The Milk and Wine Co will open at the former home of Barclays Cafe in Heathmont Village sometime in March.
The cafe, at 168 Canterbury Rd, suddenly shut down after 17 years in September when landlords issued an eviction notice to owner Steve Wilson.
Mr Wilson claimed serious health issues earlier in the year forced him to walk away from the business.
The first details of The Milk and Wine Co emerged on December 14 when the owners, believed to be a local male duo, offered free wine samples and an opening date.
A similar sign is on the front door, while Barclays’ orange exterior has been painted black and tradies are fitting out the venue.
The owners shared more details in an job advertisement last month, saying it would be “a revitalised version of a local icon” with coffee from well-known Melbourne roasters St Ali.
“Opening in March, we will be offering the loyal community Australian cafe classics with a modern twist along with a touch of American southern hospitality,” they wrote.
“Think smashed avo and chilli scramble alongside chicken and waffles and jalapeño bagels.
“After the busy lunch trade, we will switch to a small plate menu featuring share boards, charcuterie and cheese paired with boutique local and international wines.”
Anton’s Fresh Grocery manager Nick Ghuman said The Milk and Wine Co would give a much-needed boost to Heathmont traders.
He said foot traffic had been slow at Heathmont Village since Barclays’ demise, particularly at the bottom end of the shopping strip.
“With Barclays gone, we only get regular shoppers, we don’t get new faces,” Mr Ghuman said.
“With the new cafe, people have a reason to come to the centre and try it out.
“I know a lot of people are excited to see what happens.”
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Croydon South shopper Bec, who didn’t want to give her surname, said she was glad to see a new business opening.
“A few wine bars have been tried around here and been unsuccessful, so I’d be interested to see how it goes,” she said.
Ray White Nunawading, which manages the building, and one of the cafe’s co-owners was contacted for comment.