JOHNSTOWN — The popular Ghostwriter Public House restaurant in downtown Johnstown has dealt with a lot of issues beyond its control since it opened in November 2019.

Denise Blankemeyer, who owns the restaurant with husband Dennis, said it’s time for a short break.

The restaurant, which lost quite a bit of food due to a power outage caused by recent storms and record heat, has closed for a few weeks, re-opening sometime in July, she said.

“It’s just been a lot since COVID,” Blankemeyer said. “We are extremely busy, but the team is just tired and needs a break. Everybody just needs a mental health break once in a while.

“The power outage was the perfect opportunity to take a pause. We’re going to regroup and come back stronger than ever. This is just a temporary close.”

Blankemeyer said the restaurant employees are not only the reason a break is needed, but also the reason the closure will only be temporary.

A Ghostwriter post on Facebook stated, “Without our team, we couldn’t do any of this and it was our turn to take care of them. They always work hard, but these past couple of weeks they have moved mountains for us.

“They are why we won’t close. They would fight tooth and nail to make sure that never happened. Thank you all for having our backs in the most amazing way. We feel the love and support and can’t wait to be back doing what we love for all of you.”

Blankemeyer said the employees will be paid during the time off.

Since the restaurant opened, it was forced to close during the COVID shutdown and since dealt with a worker shortage, inflation, and a supply shortage.

“We’re pretty particular in who we hire and that puts us in a pickle sometimes," Blankemeyer said.

The Blankemeyers have made a significant commitment to Johnstown, not only opening the restaurant, but moving Crow Works, designer/builder of commercial furniture for hospitality spaces, to Johnstown in 2019.

They have also purchased and renovated several downtown buildings, and plan to make Johnstown their residence.

“The more time we spend there, the more we love it,” she said. “This industry is exhausting but so rewarding. But we love what we do and couldn’t imagine doing it in any other community.”

A follow-up post on Facebook was a thank-you and an apology.

“The outpouring of love and support we have received over the past couple of days has been overwhelming for all of us in the best way. We understand that we have disappointed many of you.

“If we canceled your reservation, please understand this decision was not made easily. Many of you have waited for months to dine with us and we are so sorry for letting you down. We hope we can make it up to you in the future.”