‘It’d be like stealing a cross off a 1974 milk bar’—A theft that shook a neighbourhood and its history
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Some crimes leave behind more than just a missing item—they steal part of a community's heart.
A quiet Melbourne street became the scene of an unusual theft that has stirred both outrage and nostalgia.
What unfolded has sparked debate over heritage, safety, and the future of local icons.
An odd yet deeply personal crime rocked a small corner of East Melbourne in the early hours of 25 May—and what was taken has left a community heartbroken.
The East Melbourne General Store, a rare surviving milk bar from a bygone era, lost two of its most recognisable features in the dead of night. Shop owner Lisette Malatesta wasn’t there to protect them—she was in hospital when thieves struck.
The iconic plastic ice cream cones, which had stood outside the Hotham Street store since 1974, were ripped from their posts at around 2:20 am.
But this wasn’t a random act of vandalism. The intruders came prepared.
Malatesta shared that the offenders scaled a ladder to reach the three-metre-high fixtures, cut the power cables using pliers, and sprayed paint over CCTV cameras before vanishing with the cones.
‘It’s just quite outrageous that somebody would do this,’ she said.
The cones were more than ornamental—they were local landmarks. Standing tall for five decades, they had become unofficial sentinels of the neighbourhood, evoking the spirit of the milk bars that once defined suburban life across Melbourne.
‘They were an icon of the local community milk bar,’ Malatesta said.
Before 24-hour supermarkets and franchises like 7-Eleven spread across the city, milk bars were central to the community. Today, few remain.
‘Mine is one of very few that remain in Melbourne today as a proper operating milk bar,’ she said.
Collectors have increasingly sought after these nostalgic emblems, making surviving pieces like Malatesta’s cones more desirable—and vulnerable.
After the theft, Malatesta discovered the cones had been listed and sold online. Though they’re gone, she hasn’t given up hope.
‘Their importance is beyond just financial—it’d be like stealing a cross off a church,’ she said.
Since taking over the shop in 2015, Malatesta said she had rarely encountered trouble. But things had changed.
‘I’ve had the store for 10 years, and there’s been more crime and attacks against the store in the last six months than there has been in the last 10 years combined,’ she said.
Other items had also been stolen from the shop’s outdoor area, including pastries, prompting her to stay in regular contact with police.
Authorities confirmed the theft remained under investigation and have asked anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers.
The rise in crimes targeting local shops has left many communities on edge, highlighting the challenges small business owners face every day.
Watch this video to see how one Melbourne milk bar worker bravely stood their ground against a bizarre attack.
Source: Youtube/7NEWS Australia
As Melbourne’s streets slowly lose these nostalgic icons, what do you think should be done to preserve them? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
A quiet Melbourne street became the scene of an unusual theft that has stirred both outrage and nostalgia.
What unfolded has sparked debate over heritage, safety, and the future of local icons.
An odd yet deeply personal crime rocked a small corner of East Melbourne in the early hours of 25 May—and what was taken has left a community heartbroken.
The East Melbourne General Store, a rare surviving milk bar from a bygone era, lost two of its most recognisable features in the dead of night. Shop owner Lisette Malatesta wasn’t there to protect them—she was in hospital when thieves struck.
The iconic plastic ice cream cones, which had stood outside the Hotham Street store since 1974, were ripped from their posts at around 2:20 am.
Iconic 1974 ice cream cones stolen in Melbourne. Image source: Lisette Malatesta
But this wasn’t a random act of vandalism. The intruders came prepared.
Malatesta shared that the offenders scaled a ladder to reach the three-metre-high fixtures, cut the power cables using pliers, and sprayed paint over CCTV cameras before vanishing with the cones.
‘It’s just quite outrageous that somebody would do this,’ she said.
The cones were more than ornamental—they were local landmarks. Standing tall for five decades, they had become unofficial sentinels of the neighbourhood, evoking the spirit of the milk bars that once defined suburban life across Melbourne.
‘They were an icon of the local community milk bar,’ Malatesta said.
Before 24-hour supermarkets and franchises like 7-Eleven spread across the city, milk bars were central to the community. Today, few remain.
‘Mine is one of very few that remain in Melbourne today as a proper operating milk bar,’ she said.
Collectors have increasingly sought after these nostalgic emblems, making surviving pieces like Malatesta’s cones more desirable—and vulnerable.
After the theft, Malatesta discovered the cones had been listed and sold online. Though they’re gone, she hasn’t given up hope.
‘Their importance is beyond just financial—it’d be like stealing a cross off a church,’ she said.
Since taking over the shop in 2015, Malatesta said she had rarely encountered trouble. But things had changed.
‘I’ve had the store for 10 years, and there’s been more crime and attacks against the store in the last six months than there has been in the last 10 years combined,’ she said.
Other items had also been stolen from the shop’s outdoor area, including pastries, prompting her to stay in regular contact with police.
Authorities confirmed the theft remained under investigation and have asked anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers.
Watch this video to see how one Melbourne milk bar worker bravely stood their ground against a bizarre attack.
Source: Youtube/7NEWS Australia
As Melbourne’s streets slowly lose these nostalgic icons, what do you think should be done to preserve them? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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