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: The Davis-Linden Building's Transformation

• Hidden Gems: Pins Mechanical Co, De’Lish, Little Fish Brewing Company

• Local Events: 6/24 – 7/1

• Computer Love: Cybersecurity Gets Real

• Money: Dayton Health Care Boom: $475 Million in New Investments

• Sports: HS Football Social Justice 7-On-7, Dragons’ Captain Clash Week

— Tom

Did you know?

Reviving History: The Davis-Linden Building's Transformation Into Dayton’s Creative Hub 🖌️

The Davis-Linden Building, located at 400 Linden Avenue in Dayton, Ohio, is a symbol of both the city’s industrial past and its dynamic creative future. Originally built in 1892 for the Davis Sewing Machine Company, it became a major manufacturer in Dayton, employing thousands and producing hundreds of thousands of sewing machines. After transitioning to the Huffy Corporation in the 1920s, the building's manufacturing days eventually ended, but its legacy lived on in a new form.

In the 1970s, artists and small businesses began to repurpose the space, bringing fresh energy to the structure. Today, the building serves as a hub for creativity, housing over 83,000 square feet of studios for artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs. Thanks to revitalization efforts by Matt Dieringer, who purchased the building in 2015, it has become an incubator for innovation. With modern updates and sustainable initiatives, it stands as a thriving testament to Dayton’s entrepreneurial spirit.

The Davis-Linden Building continues to bridge the gap between the city’s industrial roots and its vibrant future, offering a collaborative space for creativity to flourish.

Hidden Gems

DAYTON’S 11K SQ FT GAME BAR: PINS MECHANICAL CO. 🏓

Pins Mechanical Co. celebrated its grand opening on June 18, 2025, at 416 E. First St. in Dayton’s Water Street District, transforming the former Moeller Brew Barn into an 11,000 sq ft social hub. The venue features eight duckpin bowling lanes, retro pinball machines, claw games, a two-story slide, and patio pong under one roof. Games run $7–8 per duckpin session on weekdays and $8–9 on weekends, while pinball stays $1 a play.

Troy Allen, CEO of Rise Brands, said this marks the sixth Ohio location—with a seventh due in Mason this summer—underscoring the brand’s growth and Dayton’s appetite for community-driven fun. Families bowl free on Sundays for kids 12 and under, and indoor/outdoor bars serve craft beers, specialty cocktails, and offer views of Day Air Stadium. Since our last sneak-peek, Pins has been buzzing with neighbors lining up for duckpin sessions, retro pinball rounds, and two-story slide thrills—proof that Dayton’s new gathering spot is already the place to play.

Check them out on Facebook

CAJUN COMEBACK AT DE’LISH 🍗

Jasmine Brown relaunched De’Lish Cajun & Creole in 2022, inside W. Social Tap & Table at 1100 W. Third St. in Dayton’s Wright-Dunbar District. Brown first opened De’Lish Café in 2010 on N. Main St. and paused operations in 2018. Today, she still honors her grandmother’s recipes—serving chicken & waffles, shrimp & grits, and weekly vegan specials—made with ingredients from local vendors like The Food Pitt and Diamond Daiquiris.

Housed in Dayton’s first food hall—a $2.1 million, 6,400 sq ft space across from the National Aviation Heritage Museum—De’Lish is located alongside six homegrown eateries. Here, guests scan a QR code to order across all vendors and get notified by text when dishes are ready, keeping lines short and spirits high. De’Lish’s sweet potato waffle brunch staple fuels weekend crowds with vegan and chicken options alike. Communal seating and live-music nights turn every visit into a neighborhood block party.

Check them out on Facebook

LITTLE FISH, THE BREW & FARM-TO-TABLE BISTRO 🐟

An extension of the celebrated Athens farmhouse brewery, Little Fish’s Dayton Station transformed the century-old brick train depot at 116 Webster St. into an industrial-chic brewery and bistro, complete with open fermenting tanks and reclaimed-wood communal tables. Since opening in 2022, Executive Chef Zach Morgan has crafted a seasonally rotating menu sourcing grass-fed beef, pastured pork, and local produce from Ohio family farms.

The menu pairs farm-fresh dishes—think pork belly sliders and mushroom ragout—with a world-class beer lineup that ranges from hop-forward IPAs to barrel-aged sours. Housed under a vaulted ceiling in a former railroad stop, the Dayton Station feels both historic and modern, honoring the building’s industrial roots while supporting local makers. As a community hub, it invites neighbors to gather around long tables for farm-to-table comfort and fresh brews in the heart of Webster Station.

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 2000+ Daytonians?

Local Events

PLAY AND LEARN: YOGA STORYTIME

• What: A playful story time combined with simple yoga poses, engaging children in movement and reading.

• When: June 24, 11 AM – 11:30 AM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library – Southeast Branch, 3980 Salem Ave, Dayton

• How Much: Free

WHEEL FRESH PIZZA FOOD TRUCK AT YELLOW SPRINGS BREWERY

• What: Community food truck night featuring Wheel Fresh Pizza and other rotating vendors, with local brews and socializing.

• When: June 24, 5 PM – 8 PM

• Where: Yellow Springs Brewery, 305 N Walnut St Suite B, Yellow Springs

• How Much: Free entry; pay-per-item for food and drinks

MJ: THE MUSICAL

• What: Broadway‐style tribute to Michael Jackson’s life and artistry.

• When: June 24, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM

• Where: Schuster Performing Arts Center, 1 W. Second St, Dayton

• How Much: $57–219

CAPITAL CONNECT – MEET THE BANKERS

• What: Networking breakfast where small businesses connect with local banks to explore loans and funding programs.

• When: June 25, 9 AM – 11:30 AM

• Where: Employment Opportunity Center Community Room, 4303 W Third St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

JUNE WINE DINNER AT SALAR

• What: Chef Margot Blondet, Sous Chef Josh Braceros, and wine pro Kara York pair five bold courses with artisan wines for a delightful summer feast.

• When: June 25, 6 PM

• Where: Salar Restaurant & Lounge, 400 East 5th Street, Dayton

• How Much: $99 per person with wine/$75 without

EXHIBIT: LIVING COLOR

• What: Vibrant group exhibition showcasing colorful artworks at Edward A. Dixon Gallery.

• When: June 26 (All day)

• Where: Edward A. Dixon Gallery, 222 N. St. Clair St., Dayton

• How Much: Free

CURIO: SOCIAL – YACHT ROCK PARTY!

• What: Themed social hour with yacht rock tunes, tropical vibes, and community mingling on Courthouse Square.

• When: June 26, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

• Where: Courthouse Square, Third & Main Streets, Dayton

• How Much: Free

OUT ON 5TH

• What: Fifth Street in the Oregon District closes for an open-air block party with expanded patios, vendor pop-ups, and live entertainment.

• When: June 27, 5 PM – 10 PM; June 28–29, 12 PM – 10 PM

• Where: Fifth Street (Patterson Blvd to Wayne Ave), Oregon District, Dayton

• How Much: Free

GUIDED DOWNTOWN DAYTON HISTORIC WALKING TOURS

• What: Explore hidden architectural gems and hear stories from Dayton’s past on a guided walking tour.

• When: June 27, 5:30 PM – 7 PM

• Where: Dayton Arcade, 35 W. Fourth St., Dayton

• How Much: Free

STAR SPANGLED HEIGHTS FEST

• What: Huber Heights lights up June 28 with a patriotic parade, historic car show, flag-raising, carnival rides, food trucks, and a grand fireworks finale.

• When: June 28, 10 AM – 10 PM

• Where: Thomas A. Cloud Park, 4707 Brandt Pike, Huber Heights

• How Much: Free

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES: NATURE JOURNALS

• What: Guided nature journaling hike at Werthner Woods and Coovert Pond (two sessions).

• When: June 28, 1 PM & 3 PM

• Where: Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, 2600 DeWeese Pkwy, Dayton

• How Much: $5

KIDZFEST 2025

• What: Circus-themed family fest with magicians, stilt walkers, jugglers, and workshops.

• When: June 29, 12 PM – 5 PM

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

• How Much: Free 

SKINNER PIPE ORGAN CONCERT

• What: Informal performance on the museum’s restored Skinner pipe organ.

• When: June 29, 2 PM – 3 PM

• Where: Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton

• How Much: Free

WRIGHT DUNBAR DAY

• What: Community block party with vendors, food trucks, live music, and family fun.

• When: June 29, 2 PM – 7 PM

• Where: 1109 W. Third St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

ART FOR ALL DAY

• What: Free admission to all Dayton Art Institute galleries and exhibitions for one day of art exploration and community celebration.

• When: June 30 (All day)

• Where: Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North

• How Much: Free

RIVER RUN & STRENGTH BOOTCAMP

• What: Join The Unit’s high-energy bootcamp through RiverScape—stair sprints by the reflecting pools, levee stretches, and push-up circuits for all fitness levels.

• When: June 30, 6 PM – 7:30 PM

• Where: RiverScape MetroPark (Festival Plaza), 111 E. Monument Ave., Dayton

• How Much: Free

KAYAK RENTALS AT RIVERSCAPE

• What: Hourly kayak and paddleboard rentals with Taiter’s Kayak Solutions along the Great Miami River.

• When: July 1, 2 PM – 6 PM

• Where: RiverScape MetroPark, 237 E. Monument Ave, Dayton

• How Much: $15 per hour

Computer Love

Cybersecurity Gets Real: Back Doors & Breaches Game 🔐

On June 25, 2025, from 8:15 to 10:00 AM, Life Connection of Ohio in Kettering will host a hands-on cybersecurity event: the Back Doors & Breaches Game. This isn't your typical seminar it's a live-action card game designed to sharpen your skills in identifying and responding to cyber threats.

Developed by Black Hills Information Security, the game immerses participants in simulated cyberattack scenarios. Players will navigate through challenges like initial compromises, pivoting tactics, and persistence mechanisms, all while making critical decisions under pressure. The objective? To enhance your ability to respond swiftly and effectively to real-world cyber incidents.

Facilitated by Joe Tinney of Secure Cyber Defense, this event offers more than just gameplay. It's an opportunity to engage in meaningful networking and gain practical insights into cybersecurity strategies.

Event Details:

• Date & Time: June 25, 2025, 8:15–10:00 AM

• Location: Life Connection of Ohio, 2800 Donation Circle, Kettering, OH 45420

• Registration: Free for Technology First members; $10 for non-members

For more information and to register, visit the Technology First event page

Money

Dayton Health Care Boom: $475 Million in New Investments to Transform the Region 💰

Dayton is seeing a major boost in health care development with $475 million in new investments. Kettering Health is leading the charge with a $90 million expansion in Wilmington, bringing more services to Clinton County. Premier Health is investing $200 million to build a new cancer center and surgical suites in South Dayton. Meanwhile,

Dayton Children’s Hospital is adding a $185 million patient tower and expanded care facilities for its pediatric services. These projects are expected to create jobs, improve access to care, and strengthen Dayton’s local economy, making it a key player in regional health care and growth.

Real Estate 🏠

Home Services 👨‍🔧

Sports

HS FOOTBALL SOCIAL JUSTICE 7-ON-7 🏈

The fifth annual Social Justice 7-on-7 returns July 9, uniting 70 high school teams and 3,200 players and coaches across six Dayton-area sites for non-contact games with conversation on race, equity, and unity. Organized by coach Jim Place and former Dunbar coach Al Powell, the event features 45-minute “get to know you” sessions matching schools by size to spark dialogue between games.

Born from the social justice movement after George Floyd’s 2020 death, the competition highlights football’s power to build bridges and understanding. New this year, the Cincinnati Bengals support the event with funding and pro player mentors, boosting its impact on youth development. Hosted at Welcome Stadium, UD practice fields, and two other local venues, limited slots remain—reach Jim Place at 937-602-0495 to sign up.

DRAGONS' CAPTAIN CLASH WEEK

• What: Three-game Lake County Captains series includes Community All-Star night and Hometown Heroes celebration

• When: July 1 & 2 at 7 PM; July 3 at 5:35 PM

• Where: Day Air Ballpark, 220 N. Patterson Blvd., Dayton

• How Much: Tickets start at $12 per seat