IndeBlue Outgrows Its First Home

Apparently, the grass is greener on the other side of Collings Avenue. At least, it has been for IndeBlue, ever since the restaurant moved to its new location across the street.

The Indian restaurant first opened its original location in February of 2009, in a tiny storefront located at 618 Collings Ave.

But demands soon outweighed IndeBlue's ability to supply, said owner Rakesh Ramola.

"It was so small over there," said Ramola of the restaurant's original location. "The space was so small, that I'd be cooking in the kitchen and customers were literally seated right in front of me. They'd be eating, I'd be cooking, and we'd be having conversations the whole time."

And while both Ramola and IndeBlue customers both loved the close relationship the tiny 618 Collings Ave. restaurant afforded, it soon became too much. 

"We kept getting more and more people coming to eat, and I realized eventually it was time. We didn't have enough space to accommodate everyone," Ramolo said.

And then a window of opportunity opened—with a view that led directly across the street.

Ramolo found his window when Blackbird restaurant left its Collings Avenue location to move to another on Haddon Avenue. And for Ramolo, moving into Blackbird's vacant building was just the opportunity he needed—access to a spacious, freestanding building with plenty of room for IndeBlue's growing clientele. 

And just over two weeks ago, on March 1, IndeBlue officially opened doors at the new location—which literally sits directly across the street from their old location.

Now, IndeBlue's decision to trade its old, 618 Collings Ave. address for the new, 619 Collings Ave. spot is reaping benefits.

"The move has helped. Because when you look over there (IndeBlue's old location), all you see is small businesses all together packed into a row," Ramolo said of the small strip center where he once rented. "But here (the new location), when you look over here, you see nothing but us, just this one big building."

And Ramolo said the added space at 619 Collings Ave., a free-standing building, is the one ingredient IndeBlue had been missing.

"We more than doubled our space when we moved into this building," said Ramolo. "At the old location, we could sit about 34 people total. Here, we're able to sit anywhere from 74 to 80 people comfortably."

IndeBlue's loyal customers are taking full advantage of the changes. On any given afternoon, whether it's Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday—days when most restaurants are empty—IndeBlue is packed. Almost, if not every table is occupied, and the parking lot is full.

And Ramolo said an overwhelming public response has been the most noticeable part of the move.

"The customers," said Ramolo when asked about the biggest change since reopening. "We are very, very busy. There's the lunchtime rush, the dinner rush, the weekend rush—it's great."

While Ramolo says diners are enjoying the same great menu they knew from 618 Collings Ave., IndeBlue's new location adds even more to the dining experience.

"Over here, the customers seem more relaxed," said Ramolo. "There was a higher noise level at the old location, it was cramped. Across the street, people just came to eat. Now, over here, they come to sit, relax and eat.

"When you go out to eat, you want to relax, sit down, and enjoy yourself while you enjoy your meal. There's so much more to the dining experience than just food."

And 619 Collings Ave. is the ultimate dining experience. The restaurant's interior, decorated completely by Ramolo's wife Heather, gives off a serene, ethnic, zen-like vibe.

Ramolo said nothing from Blackbird remains in the building. Walls were painted, new wood floors were installed, mirrors and Indian-inspired artwork have been placed on walls, new tables and chairs were delivered. 

When asked if he brought any items from the old IndeBlue location to the new one, Ramolo answered without hesitation.

"The concept of cooking," he said with a laugh. "That's the only familiar thing you'll find from the old restaurant here. We didn't even bring the old silverware."

But the 18-year chef—who was born in Bombay, India, and whose culinary skill has been featured in restaurants all over the world—said besides the cooking, there's only one other thing that hasn't changed.

"The familiar faces. I see the same faces every day, every week. And our customers have really supported us since the move," he said. 

And loyal customers, he said, are proof that the food is good.

"Our location (on Collings Avenue) is not Haddon Avenue—a street where everything works out," said Ramolo. "For restaurants on Haddon Avenue, customers come no matter what—they get walking traffic, people strolling who stop for a bite.

"But this, this is not Haddon Avenue," he said of IndeBlue, set relatively far from the downtown restaurant district. "This is a destination restaurant. I like that we're not on Haddon. Our customers don't eat here because they were hungry and happened to walk by—they come here for a purpose. They sacrifice convenience because for the food."