Pope Joan Crew to Reinvent the Humble Milk Bar

An Australian classic is about to be reborn: the good ol' milkbar. Matt Wilkinson and Ben Foster, the duo behind Melbourne brunch fixture, Pope Joan, are determined to reinvent the beloved Australian after-school haunt, according to Good Food.

As per tradition, the milk bar — fittingly dubbed Jack Horner — will sell a variety of household essentials, such as pantry goods, toilet paper and pet food, as well as having a deli counter, canteen and a small bottle-o. But like Pope Joan, Wilkinson's plans for the milk bar are not quite as orthodox as they first appear.

Wilkinson and Foster plan to blend the best bits of the English corner shop, the Australian milk bar and the NYC deli into their newest venture — renovating the former Brunswick Tip-Top factory.

Jack Horner will also operate as a modern tuckshop of sorts, where visitors can sample head chef Travis Welch's plates of seasonal pickles and housemade cheese, breakfast food, sandwiches, salad and hot dishes, to either eat in or take home.

The Jack Horner milk bar will be opening in mid-April. And for non-Brunswick residents disappointed on missing out on a new local, patience; Wilkinson and Foster are planning to expand to the CBD and southside in the future.

Via Good Food.