Images by Frankie the Creative
Café Komodo, which was originally expected to close on June 29th, has been saved by new owners and will officially reopen under their ownership this Tuesday June 18th.
After hearing the news that the popular Prospect eatery would be unable to remain open amidst the state’s hospitality crisis, new owners Mel Millard and Amber Grosser stepped in at the eleventh hour to save the iconic venue.
Both Mel and Amber have strong backgrounds in hospitality and a passion for supporting local live music and bringing the community together.
With extensive experience in leading and improving the profitability of prominent Adelaide brands, such as OTR and Foodland, they bring valuable expertise to Café Komodo.
Excited about their new venture, Mel and Amber look forward to getting back to their barista roots on the coffee machine, helping to make Cafe Komodo a much-lover venue for the community once again.
“Komodo is a unique part of hospitality history, seeing it close would be utterly heartbreaking. As a venue, it has all of our passions rolled into one, music, art, food and a laid back comfortable vibe,” Mel said.
“The baton has been passed to us and we feel a responsibility to give back to an industry doing it tough.”
Cafe Komodo will keep its favourites on the menu, featuring all-day breakfast, brunch, burgers, and a children’s menu. All the food is made in–house with fresh local ingredients, and vegan and gluten-free options are available.
“The community has told us they love the menu, so we’ll keep the favourites, for sure. I am creative by nature, so some surprises are inevitable,” Mel said.
“You can continue to expect a warm and welcoming menu – including plant based, gluten free and sourcing ingredients locally first.”
Cafe Komodo has also recently been upgraded, adding three new unisex toilets and a commercial-grade kitchen to better accommodate larger functions and events. The cafe has kept its unique charm with a cozy, homely atmosphere, decorated with mismatched vintage furniture and strings of fairy lights.
“Inclusivity is important to us, we’ll stay true to Komodo’s roots in making sure everyone feels welcome – even the puppies. We see it as a hub to come together and enjoy the good things in life,” Mel said.
For over 20 years, Cafe Komodo has served the Prospect area and has been a key venue in promoting Adelaide’s live music scene. Thanks to these two powerhouse South Australian women, this this beloved Adelaide icon has been saved. Cafe Komodo will be open from 9am to 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday, with plans to extend hours on Friday and Saturday nights in the future.
Cafe Komodo
Where: 118 Prospect Rd, Prospect SA 5082
When: Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm
Facebook: Cafe Komodo
For more information, click here.
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