New businesses, new amenities to enjoy starting this week
With hundreds of small businesses and attractions like the Schuster Center, RiverScape MetroPark, the Oregon District and DayAir Ballpark, downtown Dayton is already a hub for shopping, dining and entertainment. But this fall, visitors can enjoy new features and businesses, and it all kicks off on Oct. 1 during First Friday.
Three businesses will celebrate their grand opening this weekend, and one business will host re-opening activities. Zen Lounge, a sushi bar serving chef-crafted rolls during lunch and wine, beer and cocktails in the evening, will officially open this weekend. The restaurant is located at 121 N. Ludlow St. in the Talbott Tower. Watch their Facebook page for information on the menu, hours, pre-orders for dinner pick-up, live entertainment schedule, and other details.
On the other side of town, Agnes All-Natural Grill and Gems Boutique will host dual ribbon-cutting ceremonies starting at 10:30 a.m. Friday. The businesses are jointly owned and managed, with Agnes focusing on Afro-Caribbean cuisine, and the boutique offering vibrant streetwear featuring styles by local artists and designers. Agnes is located in the historic Wympee building at Third and Wayne Avenue, and Gems Boutique is at 514 E. Third St. in the Cannery building. A few doors down from Gems, the Black Box Improv Theatre will celebrate a grand re-opening weekend with comedy shows Friday and Saturday nights. The theater was closed throughout the pandemic, and they have since come under a new ownership group prepared to kick off a new season of improvisational comedy performances, as well as classes and other special events. Visit the website to learn more and purchase tickets to upcoming shows.
There are dozens more live performances, dining and drink specials, shopping activities and other entertainment on tap as part of First Friday on Oct. 1, but a new feature allows visitors to create their own experience anytime they explore downtown Dayton. New Self-Guided Walking Tours are the perfect outdoor experience to explore downtown Dayton, rediscover an old favorite spot, or find a new favorite downtown business. The themed, self-guided tours are accessible right on your phone. These tours make use of the app Roamli – a simple app that can be installed on a phone (in the Apple or GooglePlay Store) that allows users to see their current location in relation to the self-guided walking tour maps that the Downtown Dayton Partnership has created.
The following self-guided walking tours are currently available:
- Outdoor Public Art Walk – Roamli code: DAYTONART
- Downtown Brewery & Distillery – Roamli code: DAYTONBEER
- Espresso & Treats – Roamli code: DAYTONCAFE
Visit the Downtown Dayton tours webpage here for a how-to video on using the Roamli app to take the self-guided tours. In the future, you can check back to the website for additional self-guided tours that will be added.
Use the Downtown Dayton Partnership’s Find it Downtown Guide for a full listing of downtown businesses, including restaurants, cafes, breweries, retailers and services. The guide also lists parking options, art galleries and organizations, churches and amenities.
