Happy Tuesday Daytonians!

Thanks for spending another week with The Gem, where good times aren’t hard to find. Let’s take a look at what we’ll be covering in this edition…

• Did You Know: More Than 30 Food Trucks Are Rolling Into Dayton This Friday

• Hidden Gems: Esther Price, Culture, The Breakfast Club

• Local Events: 7/7 – 7/14

• Computer Love: Dayton's Tech Sector Keeps Growing with 40 New Defense Jobs

• Money: Old Dayton Factory Gets a Multi-Million Dollar Second Chance

• Sports: U.S. World Cup Run Ends, All-Ohio Baseball, Dragons Update, RedHawks Marquee Opener

— Tom

Did you know?

More Than 30 Food Trucks Are Rolling Into Dayton This Friday 🚚

If you're looking for weekend plans, come hungry. The Great Dayton Food Truck Rally returns to Front Street Studios on Friday, July 10, bringing together more than 30 of the region's favorite food trucks for one evening of great food, live music, local vendors, and family friendly fun.

From barbecue and tacos to gourmet desserts and specialty drinks, there's something for every craving. The free event has quickly become one of Dayton's favorite summer traditions and is expected to draw thousands of visitors to Front Street.

Click here to learn more

Hidden Gems

100 years of Dayton sweetness: Esther Price Candies 🍫

Before the gold boxes, Esther Rose Price was making fudge at home in the 1920s. That kitchen dream still has an address: 1709 Wayne Ave., where cocoa hangs in the factory air and red ribbons signal a proper Dayton gift.

The famous Wayne Avenue house became Esther’s home, production facility, and first store, and the tradition now reaches shops in Centerville, Clayton, West Chester, plus a Bridgetown-to-Harrison move ahead. Boxes lean classic—assorted chocolates, caramels, opera creams, chocolate-covered chips, and seasonal sweets. It’s affection with a barcode, local memory wrapped for birthdays, thank-yous, and “just because.”

Check them out on Facebook

Culture on Fifth: chef-driven comfort, Oregon District nerve 🍔

Culture doesn’t sit quietly in the Oregon District. Chef Dane Shipp’s room at 416 E. Fifth St. has flattop sizzle, counter-close energy, and a soundtrack that makes dinner feel loose without losing intention. After building a following through pop-ups, Shipp opened his first brick-and-mortar around “food and vibes,” with global comfort as the through-line.

The board moves with personality: wonton nachos, the Drip Burger, rasta pasta, Thai cheesesteaks, and vegan-friendly twists when the mood hits. It’s chef-led but not precious—a small Dayton room with big, generous, culture-mixing confidence, rooted in the block.

Check them out on Instagram

The Breakfast Club | Wright Station wakes up 🥓

Springboro mornings now have a second helping of The Breakfast Club. The family-owned cafe and coffee roastery landed at 5 N. Main St. in Wright Station after decades of Lebanon loyalty, carrying a mom-and-pop promise that began in 1993: breakfast, lunch, fresh-roasted coffee, and service that doesn’t coast.

Inside, plate clatter moves fast while conversation lingers—exactly the tension a good breakfast room needs. Cinnamon swirl pancakes, potato pancake breakfasts, omelets, lunch sandwiches, cold-brew flights, and mimosas keep the day flexible. It feels cheerful, busy, and downtown-ready: a place where errands can become a slow second cup.

Check them out on Facebook

THE BULLETIN 📌

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project you’re working on, a hire, or just want to say hi to 4800+ Daytonians?

Local Events

DAYTON SUSTAINABILITY VISION SESSION

• What: Residents help shape Dayton’s 2026 Sustainability Plan through community visioning and practical neighborhood perspectives.

• When: Jul. 7, 6–7:30 PM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library – Main Library, 215 E. Third St., Dayton

• How Much: Free

RARE WARBIRDS FLY IN

• What: History rolls onto the flightline as FIFI, Diamond Lil, and friends give aviation fans a rare up-close look.

• When: Jul. 7–8, 10 AM – 4 PM

• Where: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, 1100 Spaatz St., Dayton

• How Much: Free 

MAKECODE ARCADE LEVEL UP

• What: Educators turn retro game design into playful coding lessons, building sprites and classroom-ready activities with Microsoft MakeCode Arcade.

• When: Jul. 8, 1–4 PM

• Where: SOITA, 1205 E. Fifth St., Dayton

• How Much: $100 

DAYTON VIRTUAL JOB FAIR

• What: Job seekers can meet Dayton-area employers online, with quick interviews and a welcoming diversity-focused hiring format.

• When: Jul. 8, 11 AM – 3 PM

• Where: Online, Dayton-area virtual event

• How Much: Free registration 

DAYTON STARTUP SUMMIT

• What: Founders, students, investors, and community builders gather for panels, a pitch competition, resources, and fresh Dayton connections.

• When: Jul. 9, 10:15 AM – 6 PM

• Where: The Hub Dayton, 31 S. Main St., Dayton

• How Much: Free 

BLUES-SOUL ON THE LAWN

• What: A blues-soul burner lands at Levitt, bringing Austin grit, big grooves, and free downtown summer energy.

• When: Jul. 9, 7 PM

• Where: Levitt Pavilion Dayton, 134 S. Main St., Dayton

• How Much: Free 

Y2K MUSIC TRIVIA NIGHT

• What: Test your 2000s pop memory by the river, with family-friendly trivia and sunny summer park energy.

• When: Jul. 9, 7–9:30 PM

• Where: Riverfront Park, 1 Water St., Miamisburg

• How Much: Free 

60 YEARS OF THE MONKEES AT FRAZE

• What: Micky Dolenz celebrates 60 years of The Monkees with The Buckinghams—classic pop nostalgia under Kettering’s summer sky.

• When: Jul. 9, 8 PM

• Where: Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd., Kettering

• How Much: $40+ 

DAYTON FOOD TRUCK RALLY

• What: Thirty-plus food trucks, a beer garden, patio seating, and open artist studios turn Front Street into a flavor-packed block party.

• When: Jul. 10, 5–9 PM

• Where: Front Street Studios, 1001 E. Second St., Dayton

• How Much: Free admission 

UFO CONFERENCE LANDS

• What: Curious neighbors gather for UAP talks, vendors, panels, and cosmic conversation near Wright-Patt.

• When: Jul. 10–11

• Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Dayton Fairborn, 2800 President Dr., Fairborn

• How Much: $30+; VIP pre-purchase required 

DOWNTOWN CAR SHOW

• What: Classic cruisers, customs, bikes, trucks, prizes, music, food, raffles, and DORA sips roll into the Engineers Club.

• When: Jul. 11, 9 AM – 3 PM

• Where: Engineers Club of Dayton, 110 E. Monument Ave., Dayton

• How Much: Free for spectators; $25 vehicle entry 

DAYTON ANIME-FEST

• What: Cosplay, artists, collectibles, and fandom fun fill Beavercreek for a one-day celebration of anime culture.

• When: Jul. 11, 10 AM – 5 PM

• Where: Hilton Garden Inn Dayton/Beavercreek, 3520 Pentagon Park Blvd., Beavercreek

• How Much: $20+; kids under 11 free 

SCHOOL OF ROCK SHOWCASE

• What: Beavercreek’s young rockers take The Greene stage with crowd-pleasing energy and family-friendly summer sounds.

• When: Jul. 12, 2 PM

• Where: The Greene Town Square, 4452 Buckeye Ln., Beavercreek

• How Much: Free 

MYSTERY MADNESS CAMP

• What: RECkids campers solve clues, tackle themed challenges, and enjoy a week of playful mystery adventures.

• When: Jul. 13–17, 8 AM – 5 PM

• Where: University of Dayton RecPlex, 2 Evanston Ave., Dayton

• How Much: $170+ 

BLUE STREAK BIKE TRIAL

• What: Cyclists chase the clock in a 10-mile Wright-Patt ride, bringing friendly race-day grit to Tuesday evening.

• When: Jul. 14, 6 PM

• Where: WPAFB Tennis Club Parking Lot, Skeel Ave., Wright-Patterson AFB

• How Much: $15 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIR FUN

• What: Six days of rides, Jr. Fair shows, live music, track events, petting zoo fun, and Montgomery County summer tradition.

• When: Jul. 14–19

• Where: Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 645 Infirmary Rd., Dayton

• How Much: $10 admission (kids 6 and under free); weekly pass $40

Computer Love

Dayton's Tech Sector Keeps Growing with 40 New Defense Jobs 💻

Dayton's tech and defense economy continues to grow. Beavercreek based Creek Technologies added 40 new employees over the past year, bringing its three-year hiring total to 104 new jobs.

The company provides cybersecurity, IT, engineering, and mission support to military and federal agencies, with much of its work tied to Wright Patterson Air Force Base. The expansion reflects continued demand for defense technology and highlights why the Dayton region remains one of the nation's strongest hubs for aerospace, cybersecurity, and government innovation.

Money

Old Dayton Factory Gets a Multi Million Dollar Second Chance 💰

A long-vacant industrial property in Dayton is getting a fresh start. Industrial Realty Group (IRG) and PREP Funds have purchased the former National Oilwell Varco site on Poe Avenue and are transforming the 160,000 sqft property into the Dayton Commerce Center.

The renovated campus will be marketed to advanced manufacturers, logistics companies, and corporate tenants looking for move in ready industrial space. Located just minutes from Interstates 75 and 70 and Dayton International Airport, the redevelopment is expected to attract new businesses, create jobs, and bring millions of dollars in new investment back into the local economy. It's another sign that Dayton's industrial real estate market continues to gain momentum.

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

U.S. World Cup Run Ends ⚽

With the World Cup deep into the knockout rounds, the quarterfinal picture is sharpening: France-Morocco and Spain-Belgium are set, with Argentina-Egypt, Switzerland-Colombia, Norway-England and one final matchup still feeding the bracket.

Team USA’s run ended July 6 in Seattle, 4-1 to Belgium, as Charles De Ketelaere scored twice, Malik Tillman briefly leveled, and defensive errors doomed the Americans.

All-Ohio Baseball Showcase
Ohio’s top prep baseball players got one more summer stage at the OHSBCA All-Ohio Series, held June 30–July 1 at VA Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe.

The Centerville Elks were represented by senior Luke Maciejewski, senior Colten Burleson and junior Lucas Clark, giving Dayton-area fans a local rooting interest as the seven-division showcase wrapped the season with statewide pride.

Dragons Head North After Lansing Split
The Dragons packed drama into their Lansing homestand, splitting six games at Day Air Ballpark with extra-inning tension, midweek momentum and a tough weekend finish.

Dayton showed plenty of late fight and offensive pop before turning the page to a six-game road set at Great Lakes from July 7–12, followed by a brief two-day break.

Redhawks Women Get Marquee Opener
Miami women’s basketball will open its next chapter against James Madison in the MAC-SBC Challenge, a fitting test after a historic 28–7 season.

The RedHawks won both the MAC regular-season and tournament titles, reached their first NCAA Tournament since 2008, and now reload with Amber Tretter, Núria Jurjo, Brooke Blumenfeld and 10 newcomers in Oxford.