OCALA, FL (352Today.com) – For two decades, Amy Cannatella built regulars and poured drinks at Downtown Billiards in downtown Ocala. Meigan Sardinia, who had moved from South Florida, spent roughly eight years working at O’Malley’s Alley. Both women knew the local scene: the loyal customers, the rhythms of service and the spaces that felt missing. When the former Fox Den Tavern location at 128 SW Broadway St. became available, they joined forces to create something new: a gastropub where country flair meets drag brunch, deer heads share walls with an American flag and every customer, whether a longtime local or someone who feels a bit like an outsider, finds a seat at the table.
That inclusive spirit sits at the heart of The Black Sheep on Broadway.
“My business partner worked at Downtown Billiards for 20 years, and I came from South Florida, and then I worked at O’Malley’s for about eight years or so. She just kind of saw that the space was becoming available, and we both are very relaxed people, and kind of love everybody, so we were like, what kind of bar can we put together that everyone fits in,” Sardinia said.
“So it just started with, well, I’m big into country, so let’s throw an American flag on the wall and have deer heads on the wall, but at the same time, let’s throw a drag brunch, so everyone knows they’re welcome, and let’s do a girl brunch during the day so older women have something to do and can come participate,” she continued.
The name perfectly captures their underdog, welcoming ethos. Sardinia owns a horse farm, so animal themes felt natural. During renovations, removing drop ceilings and applying black spray foam insulation that resembled sheep fur sparked the idea for the restaurant’s name. Being slightly off the square tied it together.
“We were kind of off the beaten path a little bit, kind of like the black sheep of the family downtown,” Sardinia said.
Navigating the economy as a woman-owned business
Downtown Ocala has seen challenges, including recent closures like La Cuisine and Stella’s Modern Pantry, reduced retail and broader restaurant industry struggles with rising costs. Yet Black Sheep endures through community ties, events, and strategic decisions that prioritize drawing people in over maximizing profit on every item.
Sardinia is straightforward about the pressures.
“I think everyone is struggling in the restaurant industry right now. I wouldn’t say that it’s just downtown Ocala, but I do think it’s hard. There are no more shops, really, either, so really right now the only thing to do downtown is to come eat,” Sardinia said.
She highlighted parking difficulties while hoping the new garage would help and called for more collaborative events.
“My goal is to have more events that kind of include all the restaurants so that we’re helping each other out, instead of just kind of an every man for himself,” Sardinia said.
Their approach shines in signature items like the chicken wings, which earned second place in statewide best wings voting around 2021. They embraced the reputation with 50-cent wings all day on Sundays and Mondays.
“We’re not necessarily trying to profit off of the chicken wings, we’re just trying to break even on them. The goal is to have people come in, and while they’re eating those chicken wings, to have a beer, have a glass of wine, etc.,” Sardinia explained.
The house-made sheep sauce, a unique blend featuring diced apples, brown sugar, soy sauce and other ingredients, has become legendary. The menu mixes elevated comfort food with gastropub classics, offering shareable small bites, sliders and longtime favorites like ahi tuna that customers keep ordering.
Creating a “Cheers” atmosphere and community impact
The warm, string-light ambiance with live weekend music and an open garage-door feel helps newcomers feel at home immediately.
“It’s almost been what I’d say is a ‘Cheers’ vibe,” Sardinia noted.
“My staff is really good about it. If a new person walks in, they’re good at right away building that relationship, finding out their name, where they’re from, and how they found out about us. Our biggest thing is to make sure when someone walks in the door, it’s right away, welcoming them and making sure that they feel just at home once they sit down,” she continued.
Events drive both business and community support: Thursday trivia, drag bingo twice a month, monthly girl brunch, football specials, and larger collaborations like the Kentucky Derby pub crawl that sold over 300 tickets and split proceeds to help participating bars and the Literacy Council (where Sardinia serves on the board). They also partner with the Humane Society and welcome other nonprofits.
“We’re doing okay. We’re doing the best we can. You know, our events help us out a lot, but we’re just trying to hang in there the best we can,” Sardinia said of current performance.
Since opening in 2019, the business has grown from an initial vision of a small wine and beer bar into a full restaurant with strong regulars and sold-out events. Future plans include specialty cocktails, continued emphasis on better wines (which have seen sales jumps), a Christmas in July block party, football season promotions and more multi-restaurant events.
“We don’t plan on going anywhere,” Sardinia said.
The perfect feeling they want guests, especially those who might identify as the black sheep, to experience cannot be measured by sales.
“Comfort. Comfort would be the word I’d use. I’d want them to feel comfortable,” Sardinia said.
In a shifting downtown landscape, Sardinia and Cannatella’s woman-owned venture shows that heart, inclusivity and smart adaptation can help a local business not just survive, but truly belong.