Last Friday I attended the reveal of the new retail spaces inside the Dayton Arcade’s restored North Arcade. It was striking to see such a large crowd gathered inside a landmark that sat vacant for decades. I have been covering the Arcade’s story for years, from … [Read more...] about New Retail Shops Now Open in the Dayton Arcade’s North Arcade
Retail
Three Historic Buildings Lost in Dayton in 2025
Several notable buildings disappeared from Dayton’s landscape in 2025. In Episode 2 of the Dayton Vistas Podcast, I cover three structures that are different in almost every way, but each represents a piece of how Dayton grew and changed over time. They weren't … [Read more...] about Three Historic Buildings Lost in Dayton in 2025
The Dayton Arcade’s Flemish-Style Grand Entrance Through Time
On this site I've written a variety of articles about the Dayton Arcade as it has worked its way through an inspiring redevelopment, including a new Arcade history guide that breaks down its past and current status in detail. But today I will look at just one particular … [Read more...] about The Dayton Arcade’s Flemish-Style Grand Entrance Through Time
The History and Architecture of 1922 and 1918 Brown Street
A pair of interesting buildings on Brown Street forms part of one of the more intact blocks of neighborhood commercial structures in Dayton, and also help tell the story of the surrounding area. Recently these buildings were sold, and online posts have advertised the … [Read more...] about The History and Architecture of 1922 and 1918 Brown Street
The Fate of McCook Shopping Center, Dayton’s First Suburban Commercial Strip
I've written about Downtown Dayton's retail history, as well as its decline as suburban shopping malls emerged to take advantage of a region that was spreading out significantly in the 1950s and 1960s. But today we will look at an interesting chapter bridging the gap in … [Read more...] about The Fate of McCook Shopping Center, Dayton’s First Suburban Commercial Strip
History of the Ware Block (Bonnett’s Books and More)
One of the most beautiful historic commercial buildings in Dayton can be found right in the heart of the Oregon District neighborhood on East Fifth Street. The Ware Block at 502-510 E Fifth was built in 1891 in the Romanesque Revival style. The impressive facade is … [Read more...] about History of the Ware Block (Bonnett’s Books and More)
The Fowler-Parrott House: Last Standing Home on Old West First Street
In the 19th century, Downtown Dayton, especially west of Main Street, was primarily a residential area. One of the most luxurious streets was Robert Boulevard on the western edge near the river. But another was West First Street, where the largest concentration of … [Read more...] about The Fowler-Parrott House: Last Standing Home on Old West First Street
The Decline of Downtown Retail post-1950: Suburbanization, Urban Renewal, and More
Recently I reflected on the golden age of retail in downtown Dayton, tracing the history of Rike's, Elder-Beerman, and other popular downtown department and specialty stores. Today the environment is much different, with many local businesses struggling to survive and only a … [Read more...] about The Decline of Downtown Retail post-1950: Suburbanization, Urban Renewal, and More
History of Rike’s, Elder-Beerman, and Downtown Dayton Department Stores
The Golden Age of Main Street Shopping The last few years have been a difficult time for many downtown small businesses. Retail stores especially face a combination of challenges ranging from lingering pandemic effects and economic struggles to competition from … [Read more...] about History of Rike’s, Elder-Beerman, and Downtown Dayton Department Stores
The Todd Art (Sigma) Theater and a Lost Brown Street Business District
The old firehouse currently home to Jimmy's Ladder 11 restaurant on Brown Street is a beautiful but isolated survivor of what was once a thriving neighborhood business district. One of its most significant neighbors was an old theater located at 924 Brown Street. Built … [Read more...] about The Todd Art (Sigma) Theater and a Lost Brown Street Business District