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
Downtown Dayton, Ohio: History and Redevelopment Projects
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
Senior Resource Connection Closing, Leaving Behind Interesting Midcentury Building
Senior Resource Connection (SRC) is closing its doors. The nonprofit, which provided Meals on Wheels, in-home care, and support services to more than 10,000 older adults and people with disabilities across nine counties, announced in May 2026 that it will permanently … [Read more...] about Senior Resource Connection Closing, Leaving Behind Interesting Midcentury Building
New Salon Opens at the Dayton Arcade in Downtown Dayton
A new business opened its doors in the North Arcade retail spaces this First Friday: Tiffany's on Third, a salon offering a variety of quick high-end beauty services. Described as a boutique dry bar, the business is owned by Tiffany Goins, a longtime beauty industry … [Read more...] about New Salon Opens at the Dayton Arcade in Downtown Dayton
The Lost Underground Restaurants on Courthouse Square
On Courthouse Square in the center of downtown Dayton, there is a very unusual space that is easy to miss. A staircase descends below street level into a sunken courtyard lined with vacant storefronts and red awnings. Unless you already know to look for it, you could walk … [Read more...] about The Lost Underground Restaurants on Courthouse Square
Dayton’s Oldest Parking Garage: History of the First Street Garage
I recently covered the recent reopening of Rabbit Hole Books after being closed for two months. Today, we will dig more deeply into the history of the parking garage where it is located, and whose condition has led to the ongoing disputes between the bookstore and the … [Read more...] about Dayton’s Oldest Parking Garage: History of the First Street Garage