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: Centerville Just Spent $9.7 Million

• Hidden Gems: The Trolley Stop, Greek Street Ohio, The Famous Restaurant

• Local Events: 10/14 – 10/21

• Computer Love: UD Engineers Cook Up the Future of Food

• Money: $50 Million Power Move

• Sports: Buckeyes defense feasts, Dayton sweeps Saint Louis, Flacco debuts

— Tom

Did you know?

Centerville Just Spent $9.7 Million Turning a 1800s Farmhouse Into a Year-Round Event Destination 💎

Centerville just unveiled a stunning $9.7 million renovation at Benham’s Grove, transforming the beloved historic estate into a year-round event destination. The project added a 6,000 sqft glass walled event center with room for 200 guests, a bridal suite, terrace, and modern amenities all designed to complement the site’s 1800s farmhouse charm.

City leaders say the expansion ends the days of seasonal tent rentals, allowing weddings, fundraisers, and festivals to happen no matter the weather. With the Gerber House, barn, and cottage also restored, Benham’s Grove now blends Centerville’s rich history with its bright future a place where the past and present meet to celebrate community.

Hidden Gems

Dayton’s Oldest Bar—The Trolley Stop on 5^th 🍔

Built in 1839, this Oregon District tavern still buzzes like a neighborhood living room. The Trolley Stop is the oldest continuously operating bar in Dayton. At 530 E. Fifth St., brick walls and a creaky floor lead to a leafy back patio and a bar humming with local chatter.

The kitchen leans local: Keener Farms grass-fed burgers, a house-made Black Bean Burger, and the dill-bright “Dill-icious” potato soup. Weekends bring brunch plus a Bloody Mary & Mimosa bar; weeknights run on chili, red beans & rice, and jalapeño-popper grilled cheese. Independent, welcoming, and proudly downtown since before the trolley really stopped here.

Check them out on Facebook

Slow-roasted gyros & a rolling food truck 🥗

Inside Cross Pointe at 101 E. Alex Bell Rd., Suite 186 in Centerville, Greek Street smells of searing lamb and lemon-dill. They slow-roast whole legs of lamb for classic or “Greek Street” gyros, alongside pork belly, shrimp, and chicken souvlaki. Greek Fries layer tzatziki, feta, scallions, and dill; Zeus Fries pile on protein.

The vibe is fast-casual and friendly, with easy online ordering and delivery. And when you’re not near Centerville, the Greek Street Food Truck brings gyros and spanakopita to festivals, breweries, and office lots across the Miami Valley. Real Greek flavor, no shortcuts—just bright, herb-kissed comfort.

Check them out on Facebook

Pancakes, Greek roots & easy comfort 😋

At 953 S. Main St. in Centerville, The Famous Restaurant hums with griddles and glassware weekend breakfast runs 9 a.m.–2 p.m., then burgers, wings, and cocktails take the baton. Born from the same family behind Golden Nugget Pancake House and Doubleday’s, it nods to a beloved Pottsville namesake while writing a fresh chapter here.

Plates span chicken & waffles, the All-American burger, Papous Greek Salad, and baklava for a sweet Greek wink. The taps rotate craft brews and the bar leans seasonal easy company for a relaxed night in Town & Country’s orbit. Friendly, independent, and unmistakably Centerville.

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 3500+ Daytonians?

Local Events

DLM SPRINGBORO COOK-IN

• What: Weeknight chef-inspired tasting at The Loft—casual, delicious, and neighborly.

• When: October 14, 5 PM – 7 PM

• Where: Dorothy Lane Market – The Loft, 740 N Main St, Springboro

• How Much: Free

BETHEL MUSIC: ALONG THE WAY TOUR

• What: Grammy-nominated worship collective brings an immersive night of music, light, and praise.

• When: October 14, 7 PM – 9:30 PM

• Where: Christian Life Center, 3489 Little York Rd, Dayton

• How Much: $29–$89

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS

• What: Resource-forward dialogue + training during DV Awareness Month.

• When: October 15, 9 AM – 1 PM

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

• How Much: Free

CONCERT FOR A CURE (AT THE BRIGHTSIDE)

• What: MIX 107.7’s benefit show supporting Noble Circle Project; multiple artists, big heart.

• When: October 15, 7 PM – 10:30 PM

• Where: The Brightside, 905 E 3rd St, Dayton

• How Much: $25+

FALL WINE FESTIVAL AT SOUTHERN OHIO BREWING

• What: 30+ wines to taste at the brewery; presale only.

• When: October 16, 5 PM – 8 PM

• Where: Southern Ohio Brewing, 818 Factory Rd, Beavercreek

• How Much: $30

WATER STREET PINT PATH

• What: Stroll Water Street, collect stamps with drink specials, then redeem a pint glass. Neighborhood crawl vibes.

• When: October 16, 5 PM – 9 PM

• Where: Water Street District, 316 E Water St, Dayton

• How Much: Free to join; purchases vary

LATE ’90S HALLOWEEN DOUBLE FEATURE

• What: Cult Movie Night screens Idle Hands + Ginger Snaps. Two flicks, spooky fun.

• When: October 16, 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM

• Where: The NEON, 130 E 5th St, Dayton

• How Much: $13

DLCA: SIX – TEEN EDITION (OPENING)

• What: Local teens bring the hit musical to the PNC Arts Annex.

• When: October 17, 7 PM – 8:30 PM

• Where: PNC Arts Annex, 46 W 2nd St, Dayton

• How Much: $7+ (pay what you wish)

FAIRBORN HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL

• What: 80+ vendors, rides, music; big Spooktacular weekend kickoff.

• When: October 17 – 19, 4 PM

• Where: Fairborn Chamber/ Downtown, 12 N Central Ave, Fairborn

• How Much: Free

SATURDAY RUN WITH GEM CITY STRIDE

• What: Friendly community 5K-ish group run; all paces welcome.

• When: October 18, 9 AM – 10 AM

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

• How Much: Free

FAMILY OPEN STUDIO AT DAI

• What: Drop-in creative time for families; museum educators supply materials and guidance.

• When: October 18, 3 PM – 4:30 PM

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

• How Much: Free with admission

SUNDAY COMMUNITY TOUR AT DAI

• What: Docent-led highlights tour through the museum’s collections.

• When: October 19, 1 PM – 2 PM

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

• How Much: Free with admission

SINCLAIR COMMUNITY BANDS FALL CONCERT

• What: Wind Symphony & Concert Band; Bernstein to Dello Joio.

• When: October 19, 3 PM – 4:30 PM

• Where: Blair Hall Theatre, 401 W Fourth St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

OREGON EXPRESS COMEDY OPEN MIC

• What: Laughs in the Oregon District; sign-ups on site.

• When: October 20, 9 PM – 11 PM

• Where: Oregon Express, 336 E 5th St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

LATE-NIGHT INDUSTRY KARAOKE

• What: Service-industry karaoke party with supportive crowd, cocktails, and late-night croons in Uptown Centerville.

• When: October 20, 9 PM – 12 AM

• Where: Manna Uptown, 61 W Franklin St, Centerville

• How Much: Free

JOINT HEALTH 101: ARTHRITIS & MOBILITY

• What: Premier Health’s free, one-hour talk covers arthritis basics, safe exercises, and physical therapy benefits; bring questions.

• When: October 21, 11 AM – 12 PM

• Where: Springboro Performing Arts Center (Premier Health Theater), 115 Wright Station Way, Springboro

• How Much: Free

DOWNTOWN DAYTON DEVELOPMENT TOUR 2025

• What: See behind-the-scenes of major projects, ride an RTA shuttle, and cap it off with happy hour at Pins Mechanical.

• When: October 21, 12 PM – 5 PM

• Where: Dayton Convention Center, 22 E 5th St, Dayton

• How Much: $75

Computer Love

The Science Behind Flavor: UD Engineers Cook Up the Future of Food 🍽️

The University of Dayton is blending science and flavor with its new food engineering minor a program that teaches students how chemistry, biology, and engineering come together to create safer, tastier, and more sustainable foods.

Through hands on projects like fermenting yogurt, extracting sugar from pineapple, and even 3D-printing chocolate, students explore the science behind texture, taste, and preservation. Led by Dr. Amy Ciric, the program connects classroom theory with real world food innovation, preparing future engineers to transform how the world produces and enjoys what’s on our plates.

The Game is Changing

The internet was supposed to make it easier to build and connect. Somewhere along the way, we lost the plot.

beehiiv is changing that once and for all.

On November 13, they’re unveiling what’s next at their first-ever Winter Release Event. For the people shaping the future of content, community, and media, this is an event you can’t miss.

RSVP today

Money

$50 Million Power Move: Westrafo Sparks New Energy Boom in Trotwood 💰

Italian transformer maker Westrafo has officially opened its first U.S. factory in Trotwood, investing more than $50 million in a 231,000-square-foot facility that will create around 230 local jobs. The plant will produce high-efficiency transformers used in renewable energy and industrial systems, marking a major step in Ohio’s clean-energy manufacturing growth.

Company chairman Alberto Cracco called it “the best project I’ve ever done,” while local leaders praised the project as a win for both Trotwood’s economy and America’s energy independence. With operations now live, Westrafo joins a wave of global companies choosing Ohio as the next hub for advanced manufacturing.

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

Buckeyes defense feasts: 3 takeaways fuel 34–16 win at Illinois 🏈

The Buckeyes stayed perfect against #17 in Champaign Saturday, pouncing on three Illini turnovers and converting them into 21 points.

Julian Sayin threw two touchdowns, including a short strike to Jeremiah Smith, and C.J. Donaldson powered in twice on the ground. Ohio State sits 6–0 (3–0 Big Ten) heading into Wisconsin.

Dayton sweeps Saint Louis, perfect in A-10
Dayton Volleyball stays rolling: a 3–0 sweep of Saint Louis at Frericks on Oct. 11 pushed UD to 12–6 and a perfect 7–0 in the A-10, now on a seven-match win streak.

Balance and serve pressure again showed up as A-10 play continues this week as the Flyers chase another regular-season title.

Flacco debuts, Bengals fall 27–18 at Lambeau
Joe Flacco’s Bengals debut had juice a 17-play, 78-yard TD drive to Tanner Hudson and a late one-handed Ja’Marr Chase score (his 50th) but Green Bay controlled the clock and closed out a 27–18 win at Lambeau.

Cincinnati also lost TE Mike Gesicki (pectoral) and EDGE Trey Hendrickson (back). Short week: Pittsburgh visits Thursday.