The Black Sheep Eatery & Market is a hot spot for local Johnstown residents. Amy Bachman opened the location in October 2018. When Amy’s husband stepped away from work to focus on his health and cystic fibrosis, she took her online boutique to the next level: brick and mortar. She creatively expanded her brand from a trendy online shop to her dream opportunity, Black Sheep Eatery + Market, a local Johnstown hangout, coffee shop and market.
Amy’s vision was one where people could flock to a family-friendly environment to grab a coffee, have a lunch date or enjoy a relaxing glass of wine at the end of a long day. One of the biggest goals for The Black Sheep was to be inclusive and family-friendly, so Wednesday nights are kids’ nights, diving into the world of princesses, superheroes, Legos and more. It’s not just about the kids, though; Amy works to provide fun for the whole family with weekend food trucks, ladies' wine evenings, trivia nights and so much more for a truly communal experience.
Working toward creating a community spot for everyone, Amy opens her space to a world of activities, events and parties. With her beginnings as a small online boutique, she understands the struggle of local entrepreneurs, so she opens her doors to sip 'n’ shop and pop-up shops, along with consistently partnering with local businesses and organizations on events and activities. Workshops led by local artists, bakers, crafters and more have also become an exciting staple at Black Sheep. Whether it’s a cookie decorating class, bridal shower, paint and sip or birthday party, Amy strives to be a place where people can gather.
Amy has always had a passion for philanthropy, whether it’s pioneering a Zumbathon for charity, helping coordinate a 5K to raise money or volunteering at a music benefit. Giving back to the community is so important at Black Sheep that they decided to host weekly fundraisers for local sports teams, charities and even families in the area. On these nights, which they have cleverly coined as Tuesday Give "Baaack" Night, they donate a percentage of sales and all tips to a designated organization. They have raised $10,000 from their Tuesday Give Baack nights in just their first year, which have gone to 4H clubs, preschools, local baseball teams and gymnastics clubs, just to name a few.
Their largest event so far has been their Milk and Cookies with Santa. If you’re wondering what an event like this entails, think a hot chocolate bar, an array of festive cookies, holiday music, old-school Christmas movies and, of course, Santa. Stephanie Podtburg, owner of Johnstown Barbershop and La Bella Tanning Salon, created the toy drive for Johnstown and Milliken children in need years ago, and Amy wanted to do anything she could to help and grow this amazing mission. Many local business owners have now joined in to make it a historic downtown Johnstown day of merriment and giving. Amy and her family have such big hearts for their town and community, which is why they are a must-visit local favorite.
