By: Nikhil Nikhil, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Milton Reporter
If the Barn Door Cafe had to be described in a few words, it would be: a quaint café with an artistic touch. What began as a small retail shop in November 2015 has transformed into a rustic café during the pandemic. Located just off Milton’s main street, the café may appear small from the outside, but inside, the Barn Door Cafe is much more than just a place to grab a coffee.
Martina Cooke, the café’s owner, is originally from Ireland and has over four years of experience in the retail business. She has been living in Milton for over 13 years. The Barn Door Cafe was her way of bringing a piece of her homeland’s culture to the heart of Milton.
“I came to a new country with two young children. I needed something to do, so I started painting furniture and other household items,” said Cooke.
Martina and her husband Alan began designing products as a hobby to keep themselves busy. This eventually led to the introduction of something new and creative to the local market. From the start, Martina recognized the needs of Milton residents and sought to meet them.
Cooke described her early struggles: “It was challenging, scary, and we suffered lots of failures when we started—especially introducing a new concept. That was the hardest part. But over time, things started to go well.”
While many cafés offer food and beverages, the Barn Door Cafe stands out by combining a retail shop and a workshop with its café offerings. With food and drinks inspired by European culture, the cafe aims to attract locals with a unique experience. The concept of combining a café with an art gallery—common in Irish culture—was a key influence for Cooke’s family.
The Barn Door Cafe proudly celebrates art and encourages the Milton community to participate. The café regularly showcases artwork by local creatives and hosts parties, gatherings, live music, and more. Cooke shared that they’ll be partnering with local musicians this summer. For many locals, it’s more than just a café—it’s a community hub and creative space.
“Everything is designed by us. You tell us your idea, and you’ll get exactly what you’re looking for,” said Cooke.
The café has an old-school vibe with a modern twist. From a bicycle hanging on the wall to chalkboard menus, the space welcomes people of all ages. It offers merchandise, music albums, handmade necklaces, bracelets, mugs, photo frames, and other household items.
Speaking about the community’s response, Cooke said, “We’ve had customers coming for the past 10 years for the friendly atmosphere, good food, and the strong sense of community we’ve been able to create. They enjoy coming in as much as we enjoy serving them.”
“Apart from being just a food and drink café, we introduced a retail and workshop experience, which sets us apart from other cafés. When we started, we were the first of our kind,” Cooke added.
Cooke credits The Barn Door Cafe’s success to the support of the Milton community. “We’ve managed to maintain good relationships with our customers from the very beginning.”
The pandemic posed a major challenge as they worked to launch a space that offered both coffee and a place to shop. “We built a coffee shop when we couldn’t serve anyone and had to pay rent for two sites without any income,” Cooke recalled.
The introduction of fresh ideas and constant innovation helped the Barn Door Cafe bounce back post-COVID and grow stronger than ever.
“I want people to come into the Barn Door, laugh, smile, enjoy, and just leave their troubles behind the door,” she said.
Like many local business owners, Cooke understands the value of efficiency, quality, and community—and she hopes to one day open a franchise of the Barn Door Cafe.
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