There's something about little family run businesses that give them a superior edge over all other…read moreoptions. The Grange Mini Mart, which I always called the Milk Bar until I asked for a business card, is no exception to this. The service here is impeccable and always friendly. The store itself is warm and inviting from the moment the bell tinkles above the door to signal your arrival. There is a great range of products on offer including: fruit, chocolate, lollies, ice-creams, magazines, confectionary, milk, cake, cigarettes, bus tickets, phone credit and my personal favourite - Willy Wonka Nerds. If you are a regular customer here you won't get called by name but you will get special privileges. The amount of times I race down there to find that I'm ten cents short or my eftpos card declines have piled up in a corner where I store all my embarrassing moments. Fortunately, the owner of this Mini Mart is super nice when this happens. She pulls out a notepad and takes down your name and phone number before writing down how much you owe. Let her know when you will be down next and she'll pop in a date of expected payment too. Be nice and try to pay her quickly. The shop is always clean and well stocked and best of all - it is open until 9pm every night of the week.

This convenience store in Collins Street was my saving grace and office escape in the corporate…read moreworld prior to working for myself as a freelance writer. One used to feel a little like a kid walking into a candy store at the time, and there would be some days where they would have items for purchase for only $1 to celebrate a particular time of day, and most recently their birthday. Cherry Ripe here I come. The staff always seem to be so glad to see you, it isn't stock standard chain based convenience store service. You would feel kind of special. The Freddo frogs (although simple) was a big deal at the time, like my office survival kit: especially during the last three months of my corporate career. They would always have specials for buying four Freddo frogs of different varieties at any given moment, and this convenience store would run the occasional competition where a pre-paid Visa card was up for grabs to entice you into buying more chocolate which stocked up my survival kit when one needed it stocked up the most. The ambience was inviting, especially the owl and inside (although a bit of tight space at times) allured that welcoming feeling for the tired office worker.

I've been going to the Knoxfield Milk Bar since my primary school days. I remember taking the…read morelonger route on my walk home just so I could pop in and grab some Fads for a dollar or so. I remember the days when I actually believed they looked like real cigarettes and I'd rush out to buy some on cold mornings so that I could loll them out of my mouth and breathe out big gusts of steam. I thought I was so cool. I've had some many experiences in this milk bar, some great and others not so good. When I was ten I remember the guy behind the counter would persistently shortchange me and try to make me think that I was bad at maths. Eventually I had to get my Mum to stand outside the shop and she would check my change and go in and yell at him if he gave it back wrong. Ah, those were the days. Mostly though I've had pretty all right experiences there. The shop itself is always stocked up and though the service is the same in any milk bar, it is still service. The bell rings, the staff member calls out hello and then I wander around until I find something. I approach the counter, give them my money; they repeat the cost and the amount I gave them before giving me my change. I haven't had a problem with them shortchanging me since I was ten - but maybe that's because they are scared I'll bring my Mum back in. She can be pretty scary when she's mad! At the end of the day, it's cheap enough and it's convenient. I've always been a fan.

What a hidden gem. Gorgeous donuts hidden away in a tiny…read moremilk bar. Flavours such as lemon, Nutella and custard. Fluffy sugary doughnuts with fillings- not your American style traditional donut. They are addictive, well priced and not too far from where I live! Dangerous!

There's a reason that this place is making big head lines. It's the delicious donuts. Mouth…read morewatering, soul soothing, waist expanding donuts. The range here is small but oh so sweet. This isn't one of our beloved Melbourne hipster donut stores. You won't find fresh new crisp design work or even a coffee menu. Jimmy's Place is an old school suburban milk bar in a very ethnic and multicultural area. Hipsters beware the locals here won't tolerate eye rolling and line pushing. So why trek out this far from your comfort zone? Nutella donuts. Yup I said it. This is where you'll find the famous Nutella donuts that the CBD crowd are going nuts for. At $3 a pop you'll want to buy them all. Ask Jimmy himself what flavours are on offer. He rarely has time to restock the small display cabinet before the donuts fly out the door. Flavours tried and tested- Nutella- delicious nutella to kill off any do-gooder diet. Warm in the microwave for 20seconds for a life changing experience Jam- ol' school jam donut. Can't go wrong here. Custard- a super smooth creamy custard. Perfect with a cup of coffee and a good book. Lemon meringue- A tart little minx. Sweet on top and all sneaky flavour hidden inside. There's occasionally a salted caramel floating around.

The Melbourne winter slowly withdraws its cold talons, but even then I'm still left with teeth…read morechattering ...one hand on the wheel, eyes fully dilated caused from the darkness within my metal steed. Looking down I try squeezing extra heat from the Aircon,maybe my synapses are frozen as well making my desperate actions all the more supurlfluous.Suddenly I receive a distress call from my iron horse,in the form of beeps and blinking icons ...it is dying...yes it is dying from dehydration.I must find a waterhole and fast Minutes pass and I spy a green beacon on the horizon with the letters B.P we are saved! History-------- BP was established by e Anglo-Persian Oil Company in 1908 Also known as British Petroleum and one of the worlds 7 largest gas and oil companies with an annual income of US$ 225.98 billion and approx 79,800 employees.you could say they know abit about the crude. The Experience------ I like to fill my car up at this particular servo*(service station)as its on the main road and it is the 2nd easiest station of the 3 in the area to access.The staff are pretty cool occasionally letting me get away with 5-10 cents off if my total purchase if I haven't got the exact change.Don't you hate having to break a 50 bill for 5-10 cents.The servo comes complete with toilets smoking area(no i don't smoke)as well as early morning coffees and a small super market esk area.It seems very popular with our tradey brethren in the wee hours.There is a manual and automatic car wash on site and a tire pressure thingy.With a total of 16 pumps you should be able to get some juice. The prices are stock standard whether its the food and beverages or the Petrol itself .I feel the car wash area should have an attendant who could wash your car for you lol.And I say bring back the day of the true service attendant who washes your windows checks your oil and tire pressure now that would rock!! Highlights---- Toilets Car Wash (auto/manual) Amateur coffee baristas Small super market selection Smoking area Would I recommend you fill up here -----Yes Would I go here again ----Yes