Greek bakery International Cakes on Lonsdale St, Melbourne closes doors after 55 years

A popular bakery and café in the heart of Melbourne has closed its doors after 55 years.

International Cakes first opened its doors in 1973 and has been serving up tarts, cakes and baklava ever since.

The team at the Lonsdale St institution officially hung up their aprons for the last time on Monday.

Owner Bill Batzogioannis said it was reluctantly time to retire.

The family-run business announced its closure in a note to customers, thanking them for their loyalty.

“We have cherished the relationships we have built with each and every one of our loyal customers and are sincerely grateful for your continued support throughout the years,” they said.

“Your trust and loyalty in our brand has been a driving force behind our success and we are deeply appreciative.

“It has been an honour to serve you and be a part of your lives.”

Batzogioannis owned the café with his former business partner Manolis Yovanoglou.

Located in the centre of the city’s Greek precinct, International Cakes has been a hub for Melbourne’s Greek community.

“The Greeks, a lot of them still single then, lived around here,” Batzogioannis told Greek publication Neos Kosmos.

“They were our daily customers, and they became our friends.

“They loved the shop and would walk in at all times.

“They seemed to gravitate here, because it was their shop ... a place for Greeks.”

Over the years, the neighbourhood around the bakery transformed, as Greek businesses relocated to other areas.

But International Cakes called Lonsdale St home until the very end.

“There’s so much history in this place,” Batzogioannis said.

The decision to shut up shop was not one made lightly, but Batzogioannis believes it is time.

“It is with a heavy heart I’m leaving this place,” he told Neos Kosmos.

“I feel like I’m disappointing so many people.”