TRANSCRIPT
When it comes to traditional Italian treats, Lucchini Cakes in Melbourne’s Preston is a local favourite.
The High Street dining room remains full most days.
For the past 53 years, customers were welcomed by John Menara and his wife Sonia.
Sonia: "Food is our passion and it is our passion has always been."
John: "The new people that come in can't believe that it's still the same family, in the same business."
The shelves are filled with sweet treats, continuing a tradition that began in the 1950’s when John’s uncle, Enzo Lucchini, first started out on Melbourne’s Lygon Street.
"He'd be proud that his name is still going on. He would be very proud of that. And he was a very proud man. He came from a very, very wealthy family."
Community is at the heart of this small business.
The Menaras say it’s a place people come to meet and chat and connect with culture.
Sonia: "The customers that have come in, they've made friends with people that they didn't know.
John: "Greeks, Italians, everyone. Everyone got really well together."
Speaking Italian with customers is also appreciated, says Sonia Menara - especially by one older woman.
"She is lovely, and has been a customer for the last 45 years. I'll go up and I speak to her in Italian and she orders her cake. It does make people feel like home and the connection; that they come in here and there is someone that will understand them."
It’s ironic that John Menara was born in Australia and has never been to Italy – yet his family business has a cosy European feel.
"It's how I wanted to connect with my ancestry back in Italy. It was to put Italy on the walls with artwork and everything else. It makes me feel good."
That sense of culture and community a few of the reasons High Street holds the honour as the world’s coolest – as voted by Time Out Magazine.
Melbourne Editor Leah Glynn explains:
"High Street really ticks all the boxes. It's got really epic restaurants, cute hidden bars, great boutiques, and a really wonderful community spirit. It beat out 30 other streets, which is an amazing achievement for High Street in Melbourne on a global scale. And I think it really just goes to show that Melbourne's offerings are truly world-class."
Local Historian Emma Russell agrees:
"Because of the diversity, I think it does represent a lot of what's so fantastic about Melbourne. It's not just retail, it's community organisations, community activities that look after people or that provide cultural activities for people from all ranges of backgrounds."
And perhaps nowhere is the diversity of food and cultures more evident than at Preston Market.
Vendor Sam Virgona has run his market fruit and vegetable store for more than 50 years, since migrating from Sicily in the '60s.
He says for many customers, it’s a place that feels like home.
"They come here and they like to shop in the market. They like to talk to a friend. They enjoy to come here!"
Key to that is making people from all countries and backgrounds feel welcome, says John Zaccharia.
"We are here. A group of us come in and have a coffee, have a chat, and we had a good time. We are very, very polite people. We welcome everybody. If we get a chair open, we're available. We'll let them stay with us. We're talking about gardening, football and everything else. Two things we don't like to talk about, and this is the rule, no politics and no religion."
That inclusive spirit also celebrated by second-generation butcher Mark Tolio.
"I grew up in the market from a young age. I would come in, I got to meet many people, many different characters and it's like one big family. And even the people you work with, you get a good relationship. And I love the market."
But there’s much more to High Street than markets and cafes, says historian Emma Russell.
Along the two kilometre stretch from Preston, through Thornbury to Northcote, the heritage shopfronts sell everything from vintage records to clothing - their facades plastered with colourful street art.
"It's very eclectic. It's got representation of most of the migrant communities that have come to Melbourne over the last 100 or so years."
Waves of migration also brought food and flavours from Europe, the Middle East and more recently Asia.
Indonesian restaurant Yuni’s Kitchen is run by Matthew and Yuni Kenwrick.
Yuni: "So I come to Melbourne my food adventure is more bigger about Indonesian.
Mathew: "It's all done from scratch. So that's the part where if you make the curry base from the beginning, chopping every onion up, every chili up, grinding it up, cooking it, and serving it. We get a lot of overseas people, they're very excited to try something wholly different from what they normally get."
Yuni and Matthew Kenwrick say as the urban landscape evolves, everyone is welcome here.
"Whether you are old, young, dressed like a goth, just arrive from overseas, don't speak much English. There's so much opportunity to shop and eat and let people be what they want to be."
Change is something the Menaras have also embraced over the years.
Sonia and John are stepping back now, but their children are proud to keep the family business going, as Gianni Menara explains:
"My sister and I are very proud of our history. Taking over the reins from mum and dad. We're very proud and humble as well. And we put our heart and soul pretty much into everything we do."
It's a winning recipe the Menara family – and many others – hope will ensure their success for another 50 years at least!
"It's just been a beautiful ride, I've got to say. In these years that we've been here. We're very proud. I mean, we couldn't have done it without each other - and the kids."
On SBS On Demand, a dedicated SBS50 Hub is featuring all things SBS from across the decades, including powerful SBS and NITV Originals and iconic arthouse films.
