BEHIND THE BITE
ABOVE: Chef Brett Fife prepares one of his signature dishes.
Hand Crafted
Ghostwriter Public House features locally sourced food and furniture
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STORY BY JESSICA DEYO // PHOTOS PROVIDED
hef Brett Fife compares the atmosphere of Ghostwriter Public House to the food he prepares each night—refined, but rustic. It’s impossible to pull together a better description for the modern American food served in the building made of white-washed, historic bricks. Ghostwriter Public House is new to Johnstown as of November 2019, but it has since become a staple. Offering a modern take on classic American dishes by using locally sourced ingredients, the restaurant suits the quaint village it serves. Whether it be the double-patty, aged cheddar Smashburger or the barbecue spiced salmon, Ghostwriter strives to bring people together through excellent food in a comfortable environment. “The overall mood and body is subdued and it’s a nice little place to hang out and be with friends and enjoy people’s company and enjoy good food,” Fife says. Through the aged, dark wood accents to the visibility of the historic brick walls—the remnants
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of a town built in 1813—Ghostwriter tells a story. This story is enhanced by the intentional furnishing choices by Crow Works furniture, the parent company of Ghostwriter, both owned by Dennis and Denise Blankemeyer. For the Blankemeyers, Ghostwriter acts not only as a passion project, according to Fife, but as a showroom for their handcrafted furniture. Originating in Columbus, the Blankemeyers moved their business to Johnstown and opened an official Crow Works office adjacent to Ghostwriter. Fife, who spent much of his career at Lindey’s restaurant in Columbus, believes Ghostwriter is set apart from other eateries because of the ownership by Crow Works, which allows for a unique experience for potential Crow Works clients. Instead of simply viewing a catalog, clients can go to Ghostwriter to see tangible examples of the furniture quality. The opening of Ghostwriter not only serves as a unique step for Crow Works, but also as an investment in the local community, Fife says. The Johnstown-
