Prospect Road business Cafe Komodo saved thanks to Adelaide hospitality duo Mel Millard and Amber Grosser

A Prospect Road institution will stay open thanks to a pair of hospitality veterans who are planning to breathe new life into the venue.

A Prospect Road institution has been saved from closure thanks to a pair of hospitality veterans who are planning to breathe new life into the venue.

Cafe Komodo, a staple of the area for 19 years, was expected to shut at the end of June, but Mel Millard and Amber Grosser have stepped in, buying the business from current owner Andrew Taylor.

The duo, who have extensive hospitality experience and have worked with beloved Adelaide brands including OTR and Foodland, said they’re thrilled to keep the iconic Prospect cafe afloat for the local community.

“Komodo is a unique part of hospitality history. Seeing it close would be utterly heartbreaking,” said Ms Millard, who currently works in retail operations for Foodland, and was previously OTR food general manager.

“As a venue, it has all of our passions rolled into one – music, art, food and a laid back comfortable vibe. The baton has been passed to us and we feel a responsibility to give back to an industry doing it tough.”

New owners of Cafe Komodo: Mel Millard and Amber Grosser. Pics: Frankie the Creative.

Andrew Taylor and Bronwyn Taylor at Cafe Komodo in Prospect. Picture: Ben Clark

Current owner Andrew Taylor told The Advertiser last month that he was left with no choice but to close the popular eatery due to the ongoing hospitality crisis.

Ms Millard said she and Ms Grosser, who’s worked as Subway operations manager for over a decade, will keep many of the cafe’s most popular dishes on the menu. The duo are also determined to ensure inclusivity remains a big part of the venue.

“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,” she said.

“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.

“We bring so much passion. Feeding people is in our nature, our life’s work. It’s time to turn the page of a new chapter, in our own venue.”