Rob Sabatini, Owner of Average Joe’s,Mineshaft Saloon, and Rock Lobster Tell us a little bit about your story and why you chose Broad Ripple Village to be the home of your business. I’m from Logansport, and went to Chicago to work for Mike Ditka after the Super Bowl for bit. I moved back to Indy in 1989, then Broad Ripple in 1991. I had owned a bar downtown that closed, so I started coming up to Broad Ripple since it wasn’t downtown. In 1992, I opened up the Mineshaft with help of a partner. At that point, Mineshaft was the only bar in Broad Ripple. Current bars were then restaurants, foreclosed areas, or a jewelry store. Almost immediately, we took over the Rock Lobster building, and later we opened Average Joe’s in 1995. I wanted to grow in Broad Ripple, and I have been here since 1992. I wouldn’t want to do business anywhere else. Broad Ripple has afforded me a lot of opportunities, and I always felt that I owed Broad Ripple and wanted to give back. I’ve always wanted to control my area, make things safe, clean, and nice. My involvement with the community is always love. How many years have you been located in Broad Ripple Village? I’ve been in business with all three bars for about a combined 75 years. This year is the 25th anniversary of Mineshaft, next year is Rock Lobster’s 25th, and then Average Joe’s is the year after that. How would you describe your businesses, and why should people visit you? Traditional, long past trendy, clean, fair-priced, fun, safe, and well-managed. We have quality products and quality partners. We’ve been featured in USA Today, Forbes, and Food Nation with Bobby Flay. I’ve designed and built each of the locations. All three bars feed each other, and they each have a different feel. Mineshaft has barn wood that’s close to 100 years old. It was little dance bar, but then made it more of a sit-down place with music. Average Joe’s has so much stuff in it: 30,000 vintage baseball cards, donated memorabilia like the 1980s USA hockey goalie poster, race car photos, and even part of a Formula 1 car. The Rock Lobster started out small, and we’ve expanded twice, including a huge patio area. I’ve been the DJ there since day 1! Can you share with us an experience you had with a program, initiative, or interaction with the Broad Ripple Village Association that could help others understand the BRVA’s impact or mission? With the BRVA, I was vice-president in 1998 and president from 1999-2001. I then got back involved in 2011 on the board. I’ve worked on the parking and fundraising committees, I do a lot of the pop-up work for the BRVA, but public safety is my niche. The BRVA has given me the opportunities to pursue public safety, and now I’m the public safety director for the BRVA. It’s a big challenge, but a lot of fun. I spend a lot of time on that position, and it gives me a voice and allows for other businesses and the Village to do their work and grow. I chart all the crime in the area and work with the district commander, homeland security, and the IMPD. It’s really a great connection now. While I haven’t always been able to do as much as I’d like, when I can, I do what I can. What is your favorite thing about the Village? How about place to eat? Shop? Place to go? You know, I just love to live here. I love to walk back and forth to work, hop on a bike and go anywhere from here. I love the freedom and knowing people. It reminds me of a small town sitting right in the middle of a big town. I love that there’s a lot of independent businesses. I like to eat at Flatwater. What excites you about the future of Broad Ripple? With new grocery stores and new apartments, we’re getting our glitz and growth back – things that will make Broad Ripple better. And we learned our lessons about public safety; I still work the IMPD to keep Broad Ripple safe for everyone. You can only stay stagnant for so long. You can’t always stay the same, and I’ve always been a proponent of change. I always thought if you stayed traditionally minded in your techniques, you just have to keep things fresh. ![]()
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Grab a drink at one of Sabatini’s 3 bars on Broad Ripple Ave. Interested in joining the Broad Ripple Village Association? Click here!
