For April Foster, a love for food and small business formed early in life. In the 1980s, her family took ownership of a chocolate business, eventually adding a small bistro that served daily lunch and coffee. The shop was passed from Foster’s grandmother to her mother, then to Foster herself before she moved to Wilson County.
While Foster sold the chocolate business back to her mother before moving, the tradition of running a cafe continued. The Fosters opened The Black Sheep Cafe and General Store at The Mill in 2024.
The move was natural for Foster, who says, “Having been raised in the chocolate business, I have been stirring caramel in a copper pot and cutting caramel pecan turtles since I was old enough to work.”
Today, the Lebanon gem displays a selection of decadent chocolate treats and serves Southern-style breakfast and lunch items like the popular Turkey Bacon Ranch sandwich. Customers can also enjoy a full-service coffee bar with staple flavors and seasonal-themed delights throughout the holidays. In May, The Black Sheep opened The Scoop Ice Cream Shop, which serves ice cream from Wilson County’s own Shop Springs Creamery.
From menu items inspired by family recipes to local products lining the retail shelves, The Black Sheep is a celebration of what makes the Lebanon community special. The store displays a selection of products from small businesses, creating what Foster calls a co-retail shopping experience.
About the cafe and general store, she explains, “Supporting small and local businesses is very important to me. Creating a co-retail space felt like a natural way for local entrepreneurs to support one another while providing our customers with a convenient, one-stop-shop experience.”
The meaning is especially rich during the holiday season when customers come to The Black Sheep and curate locally sourced gifts. Foster says, “It brings such a warm feeling to see people building gifts that bring together so many local talents and products.”
Southern-comfort food and mouthwatering chocolates are available beyond the doors of The Black Sheep. With catering services available for gatherings ranging from an intimate group of six to large affairs of 650, any event can experience the heart of The Black Sheep.
In reflecting on the support of the community since opening the doors in 2024, Foster says, “There are so many wonderful places in Lebanon to choose from, and we are incredibly thankful whenever someone chooses to spend part of their day with us. We love our community big and want them to feel that love every time they walk through our doors.”
Whether you grab a fall-themed coffee or shop for local gifts and supplies, The Black Sheep Cafe and General Store will deliver trademark Lebanon charm.
TheBlackSheepCafeTN.com
I have been stirring caramel in a copper pot and cutting caramel pecan turtles since I was old enough to work.
PULL QUOTE 2: There are so many wonderful places in Lebanon to choose from, and we are incredibly thankful whenever someone chooses to spend part of their day with us.