CHEERS TO 10 YEARS 🥂 🎉

On August 6th 2015 I unlocked the doors at 64 Niagara st. in Welland for the very 1st time. I just turned 21, had zero idea what I was doing, but was absolutely filled to the brim with passion. That 21 year old set out to establish one of the first specialty shops in Southern Ontario, certainly the 1st in Welland.

What I found along the way is that the connection with my local community was the catalyst to spreading the love of high quality, relationship-coffee in the area. We quickly partnered with the Welland Museum, Welland Library, and the Welland Downtown BIA. We hosted local events, started cleanups and fundraisers, and sponsored every art event for years.

The first 3 years were spent learning diligently from one of the most important people I’ve ever met- the late, great Graham of Monigram Coffee Roasters ❤️ He introduced me to the world of specialty, sparked my interest in roasting, and literally introduced me to farmers when we went to Nicaragua together in 2018.

In 2016, a beautiful woman who had been a customer since a month after we opened became my girlfriend! She worked at the cafe when she wasn’t in nursing school, “moved in” to the office where I was sleeping in the early days. She slowly took on bigger roles and became a better boss than me. Eventually I convinced Katie (aka Mrs Black Sheep) to marry me and become officially, my partner at Black Sheep. Her and I together have instilled a renewed fire in the shop, brought on the best team in the world, and decided to open another shop and bring 2 gorgeous kids into the world (as if we had nothing else going on 🤣)

There are far too many people to name individually in this post but hundreds deserve a thanks from us and a big ol’ hug. If you are a friend, family member, customer (especially our regular homies), a business owner we’ve worked with, an artist or musician, assume we are thanking you. THE BIGGEST THANKS TO OUR STAFF! From newest to most senior: Cass, Kate, Carrie, David, Paige, Waylon, and MELISSA (AKA Momma Black Sheep!) My mom and Paige have been around long before we got our crap in order and have held us together like glue!

There’s so much I want to say. Just know I love you❤️