Indigo Blu gets complete makeover

FALLBROOK – The Indigo Blu concept arrived in Fallbrook early in 2018 when Caroline Pinker and her husband, Alistair Pinker, started their search for a good location to open her fifth Aveda Salon, the others having been opened in Orange County and North Carolina.

They settled on 413 S. Main Ave., a former car parts store owned by Nellie and John James. It was an empty space with part of the area having a raised floor like the bridge of a ship. The floor would have to be brought down to one level to make use of the 1,200 square feet potentially available.

Over several months with considerable expenditure and the help of retired contractor Len Nair and a host of characters from Fallbrook's trades, new floors, lights and upgrades to everything imaginable, Indigo Blu took shape.

The space was perfect for retail, Caroline Pinker said, as the wide glass frontage gave a good depth of display into the interior making for a light and airy feel. The relaxed environment and unique look were an important part of the vision, a particular example being the armoire stylist stations built to her own design in Los Angeles.

The large front desk was made from recycled pallet wood and quartz by her business partner, Sarah Radosevic, and her husband, Cory Radosevic.

The eight Aveda shelving units had to be brought across country from North Carolina and narrowly escaped disaster when the moving company went out of business.

Though her other salons were much larger, Pinker said Indigo Blu has something very special about it, a boutique feel that is very different and intimate but contains everything one could need.

The grand opening took place in mid-October 2018, and Indigo Blu has established itself as the place to go for select service since opening.

Those behind Indigo Blu share a common British background with formative years spent in Africa, Asia and continental Europe.

Pinker trained in London in Vidal Sassoon's techniques and brings over 30 years of experience to her work.

In addition to the full Aveda range of cruelty-free natural products, the shop stocks the Bode-pro vitamin drink selections and, as a wellness salon, they can coach their customers in lifestyle and nutrition changes especially where it may affect skin and hair condition.

The community is invited to drop by or call and arrange a free consultation to examine the options.

Indigo Blu is open Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call (760) 556-8017.

Submitted by Indigo Blu.