THE owner of a milk bar that inspires nostalgia for both young and old is selling up, with hopes a new owner will continue the legacy.
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Owner Gail Stanley is selling the Isles General Store after her and husband Wayne made plans for a lifestyle change that could lead them to Tasmania.
Ms Stanley said she bought the Cramer Street store four years ago to get herself a job, and believed it had changed her life since.
"I was a completely different person. It's been the best thing for me buying this milk bar," she said.
The store's lollies, hot chips and milk shakes have a reputation among children, high school students, teachers and parents, and have even landed some in detention for sneaking over during school hours.
"This shop it is important for the kids to know what a milk bar is, that's what I was trying to keep alive," Ms Stanley said.
"They work out how much money they've got and how to spend it. It's good for them it makes them think for themselves rather than going into a supermarket with their parents."
Also popular with older people, the couple know most of their customers by name.
The Isles family first opened a store in Fairy Street on 1925, and then the Cramer Street site in 1953 and only sold it in the past five years.
Warrnambool City Council data this year showed there were at least 13 fewer milk bars, service stations and home kitchens than in 2018.
Potential buyers have shown interest in the site becoming a restaurant, physio, or accommodation, but not a milk bar, the couple said.
"I would still love for it to be a milk bar for the kids, that's really important to me. They are just great kids, and it's part of society that's gone," Ms Stanley said.
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