Last Friday, a new local small business opened its doors at the historic Dayton Arcade. Willow Rust, a women-owned custom woodworking studio, is now open in one of the storefront spaces in the North Arcade off of Third Street. The business had a ribbon cutting on the … [Read more...] about New Local Small Business Opens Downtown at Dayton Arcade
Downtown Dayton, Ohio: History and Redevelopment Projects
Lumpia Queen Restaurant Opens in Downtown Dayton’s Tallest Tower
The last few years have been challenging for many Downtown Dayton eateries, but a popular restaurant and food truck has just opened up its new location in the city's tallest building. Lumpia Queen, whose brick and mortar was previously located in the West Social Tap and … [Read more...] about Lumpia Queen Restaurant Opens in Downtown Dayton’s Tallest Tower
History of the Insco Apartment Building (Riverfront Grande)
At the SW corner of Main Street and Monument Ave downtown, you can find an interesting historic building of a type that is relatively uncommon in Dayton today: a 19th century multistory apartment building. The Insco Apartments Building was built in 1894 and designed by … [Read more...] about History of the Insco Apartment Building (Riverfront Grande)
History of the Christian Publishing Association (Graphic Arts Building, Hamiel Building)
The United Brethren Publishing House was a prominent publisher of religious books and periodicals operating in what's today the Centre City (Mainline) Building. Nearby at Fifth and Ludlow Streets, you can still find two buildings that were once the home of another major … [Read more...] about History of the Christian Publishing Association (Graphic Arts Building, Hamiel Building)
Amtrak and All Aboard Ohio’s Plan to Bring Passenger Rail Back to Dayton
I've covered Dayton's rich train history, and its beautiful lost Union Station. Today, Dayton has no passenger rail service of any type. Columbus, its neighbor to the east, also saw its last train depart in the same year, 1979, and today is the largest city in the United … [Read more...] about Amtrak and All Aboard Ohio’s Plan to Bring Passenger Rail Back to Dayton
New Downtown Sports Bar and Restaurant The 8 Now Open
A new downtown restaurant The 8 opened in late July right across from the Dayton Dragons' Day Air Ballpark. The restaurant is a second venture for Jay and Deepika Singh, the owners of Gulzar’s Indian Cuisine located right next door. The 8 offers tacos, burgers, chicken … [Read more...] about New Downtown Sports Bar and Restaurant The 8 Now Open
The Wise Building Downtown: Dragon’s Lair Books, Vintage Shops, and More
I've always liked this building on West Fifth Street just beyond Ludlow. It's exactly the type of smaller commercial structure that has become an endangered species in Dayton due to so much demolition over the years. (I recently wrote about another rare survivor of the … [Read more...] about The Wise Building Downtown: Dragon’s Lair Books, Vintage Shops, and More
Why Parking Is the Key to Downtown Dayton’s Rebirth
As I've covered downtown buildings and redevelopment project, parking has been coming up more and more, and it's one of the most common reasons people give for skipping downtown altogether. I recently recorded an episode of the Dayton Vistas Podcast about this, which I … [Read more...] about Why Parking Is the Key to Downtown Dayton’s Rebirth
Rike’s Department Store and a Then and Now Look at 2nd and Main
I always enjoy a good then and now view of the same corner, and it's even more interesting when we can compare three different scenes as the spot has changed over time. Today we will do that with the northwest corner of Second and Main Streets in Downtown Dayton, which … [Read more...] about Rike’s Department Store and a Then and Now Look at 2nd and Main
Vacant Building on East Third in the Fire Blocks Waiting for Its Next Chapter
The Fire Blocks district of Downtown Dayton has seen a lot of revitalization in the last few years. But a couple of interesting commercial buildings remain vacant, and will hopefully see some new life soon. The small commercial building pictured above is the structure at … [Read more...] about Vacant Building on East Third in the Fire Blocks Waiting for Its Next Chapter