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: After 30 Years…You Can Finally Shop Inside the Dayton Arcade Again

• Hidden Gems: Your Vegan Chef, One Bistro, Casa Centro

• Local Events: 4/7 – 4/14

• Computer Love: Dayton Region Lands High-Tech Defense Facility Bringing 100+ Jobs

• Money: Dayton Taps Into a $1.8B Electric Vehicle Gold Rush

• Sports: Dragons’ Early-April Sprint, De La Cruz Delivers as Reds Sweep Texas, Cavs Reach 50 Wins

— Tom

Did you know?

After 30 Years… You Can Finally Shop Inside the Dayton Arcade Again 🛍️

The Dayton Arcade just made history again. For the first time since it shut down in the early 1990s, the Arcade now has regular shopping hours, bringing real retail back to the space after more than 30 years. At its peak, this was one of the busiest spots in the city, with thousands of people passing through its glass-domed marketplace every day.

While parts of the building reopened in recent years with apartments, offices, and event space, this is the first time in decades people can consistently walk in, browse shops, and spend money inside the Arcade again. It’s a full circle moment and a strong sign that energy, foot traffic, and money are finally returning to downtown Dayton.

Click here to learn more

Hidden Gems

Plant-based soul rolls and cauliflower bites: pickup from Your Vegan Chef in Trotwood 🥦

Music thumps while the fryer snaps at Your Vegan Chef, where Shamika Milliner turns plant-based comfort into a scheduled ritual. Order online for timed pickup at 486 E. Main St. in Trotwood; the menu rotates like a mixtape—soul rolls, cauliflower bites, mushroom “chick’n,” plus weekly specials posted to socials.

Milliner’s mission is community-first (“inspire and nurture”), and the vibe matches: quick hellos, bold sweet-smoky spice, and folks who come once and return with friends. She recently marked four years full-time—Dayton hustle, vegan form.

Check them out on Facebook

One Bistro — where “pay what you can” means everyone eats 🍲

At One Bistro, the bill is optional and dignity is guaranteed. In the bright café at 87 E. Main St. in Xenia, volunteers call “welcome” as mugs clink and neighbors swap stories. It’s a faith-based nonprofit built on pay-what-you-can: contribute the suggested $6–$9, pay it forward, or trade time by volunteering—quietly, no questions.

Scratch-made soups, hearty sandwiches, and warm cookies shift with seasons and local partners. Wednesdays add a free Community Meal from 5–7 p.m. You leave fed, and your extra dollars can feed the next guest.

Check them out on Facebook

Casa Centro Modern Mexican | tortillas from scratch in Springfield 🌮

Tortillas hit the comal each morning at Casa Centro Modern Mexican, a Bushnell Building newcomer at 14 E. Main St., Suite 101 in downtown Springfield. Siblings Armando and Isaac Soto—joined by sister and GM Noemi—opened in February 2025 to prove “elevated” can still feel welcoming.

The room leans sleek with a buzzing bar and colorful accents. On the menu: al pastor and birria tacos, a stone-bowl molcajete, fresh guacamole, jalapeño calamari, and hand-shaken margarita flights made without store-bought purées. Su casa, tu casa.

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 4500+ Daytonians?

Local Events

YOUTH HOUSING WORKSHOP #3

• What: Workshop on youth group housing impacts—schools, health, and social services in the spotlight, with practical discussion for community providers.

• When: Apr. 7, 2–3:30 PM

• Where: Montgomery County Employment Opportunity Center, 4303 W Third St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

RIVERDANCE RETURNS TO DAYTON

• What: Riverdance 30 brings high-energy Irish music and dance back to the Schuster Center—two hours that fly by.

• When: Apr. 7, 7:30 PM

• Where: Schuster Center, 1 W Second St, Dayton

• How Much: Prices varies

LAZY SUSAN WOODSHOP DAY

• What: Hands-on beginner woodworking class; build a cherry Lazy Susan and learn jointer, planer, bandsaw, and router basics.

• When: Apr. 8, 9 AM – 2 PM

• Where: Woodcraft of Dayton, 175 E Alex-Bell Rd Suite 264, Dayton

• How Much: $125

VIRTUAL EMBROIDERY EYE CANDY

• What: Dayton EGA’s April Zoom meeting featuring Regina Truhart on 18th-century embroidery and fashionable art influences.

• When: Apr. 8, 10 AM

• Where: Online (Zoom)

• How Much: Free

DEMENTIA CARE EMPATHY WORKSHOP

• What: Learn communication tools that build empathy and reduce friction in dementia caregiving—supportive, practical, and community-centered.

• When: Apr. 9, 6:30–7:30 PM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library – West Carrollton Branch, 300 E. Central Ave., West Carrollton

• How Much: Free

SPHR26 CREATIVE RESISTANCE CONFERENCE

• What: Hybrid Human Rights Center conference with keynotes, workshops, performances, and roundtables on artivism, tech, and dissent.

• When: Apr. 9–11

• Where: University of Dayton, 300 College Park, Dayton

• How Much: Varies/income-based (registration required)

RHYTHM OF THE CITY

• What: Funk-fueled collaboration featuring Dayton Ballet + DCDC with live house band energy between acts—pure Gem City pride on stage.

• When: Apr. 10–12, times vary

• Where: Victoria Theatre, 138 N Main St, Dayton

• How Much: $16.50+

TECHSTARS STARTUP WEEKEND KICKOFF

• What: Pitch an idea, join a team, and build a startup in 54 hours with mentors, meals, and final presentations downtown.

• When: Apr. 10–12

• Where: The Hub Powered by PNC Bank, 31 S. Main St., Dayton

• How Much: $0–$75

WEST DAYTON SPRING PLANT SALE

• What: Starter veggies, herbs, and houseplants—plus neighborhood-grown energy and local-vendor vibes.

• When: Apr. 11, 12–4 PM

• Where: Greater Edgemont Community Coalition, 919 Miami Chapel Rd., Dayton

• How Much: Free (plants priced)

BOB DYLAN: ROUGH AND ROWDY WAYS

• What: A rare night with a living legend—phone-free show at the Schuster Center.

• When: Apr. 12, 8 PM

• Where: Schuster Center (Winsupply Theatre), 1 W. Second St., Dayton

• How Much: $74.50+

DESIGN YOUR OWN WATER BOTTLE

• What: Built Environment Week gets hands-on—create a custom reusable water bottle you can take home.

• When: Apr. 13, 1–2 PM

• Where: Sinclair College (Bldg. 11, Room 11-436), 444 W. Third St., Dayton

• How Much: Free

REAL ESTATE INVESTORS NIGHT OUT

• What: Quick “haves and wants” round, then casual networking—swap leads, learn, and meet local investors over dinner chatter.

• When: Apr. 13, 6–8 PM

• Where: TJ Chumps, 1100 E Dayton Yellow Springs Rd, Fairborn

• How Much: Free (food/drink extra)

SPOT THE SCAM WORKSHOP

• What: A security-awareness workshop on phishing, impersonation, and social engineering—practical tips, light breakfast, and zero shame.

• When: Apr. 14, 8:15–10 AM

• Where: Business Solutions Center, 1435 Cincinnati St Ste 300, Dayton

• How Much: $25+

CLOSE-TO-HOME BLACK HISTORY SITES

• What: Sinclair’s Michael Carter shares nearby African-American history tourism sites—perfect for planning meaningful day trips from Dayton.

• When: Apr. 14, 12 PM

• Where: Online (Zoom)

• How Much: Free (registration required)

Computer Love

Dayton Region Lands High-Tech Defense Facility Bringing 100+ Jobs 👨‍💻

A fast growing defense company is planting roots just outside Dayton and it’s a big win for the region’s tech scene. Resonant Sciences is opening a new facility in Greene County to produce radomes, a critical technology that protects radar and communication systems on military aircraft.

The project is expected to create over 100 jobs and generate around $10 million in annual payroll, adding real economic momentum. Its location near Wright Patterson Air Force Base gives the company direct access to top tier research, talent, and defense contracts. Backed by state funding, this move signals something bigger: the Dayton region is continuing to rise as a hub for advanced defense tech and next generation manufacturing.

Money

Dayton Taps Into a $1.8B Electric Vehicle Gold Rush 🔋 

Dayton is making a calculated bet on the future by investing in eight new electric vehicle charging stations, part of a market expected to reach $1.8 billion. As more drivers switch to EVs, charging access is becoming prime real estate and cities that build early stand to win.

With support from grants and partnerships, Dayton isn’t just adding infrastructure, it’s positioning itself to attract new businesses, increase visitor traffic, and create long-term revenue opportunities. Bottom line: this is less about chargers, and more about getting a piece of a fast growing billion dollar industry.

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

Dragons’ Early-April Sprint: Lansing, Then a Home Stand ⚾

After opening 2026 on the road at Lansing April 2–4, the Dragons bring baseball back to Day Air Ballpark with a six-game set vs. the Lake County Captains April 7–12.

Next up: a quick turnaround to Great Lakes, starting April 14 against the Loons.

De La Cruz Delivers as Reds Sweep Texas
Cincinnati finished off a three-game sweep in Arlington with a 2–1 win on Sunday, April 5. Elly De La Cruz’s eighth-inning RBI single plated Matt McLain for the go-ahead run after McLain walked and stole second.

Rookie Chase Burns struck out nine, and Brock Burke fanned the side in the ninth for his first career save.

Cavs Rally Past Memphis, Reach 50 Wins
Cleveland erased a 17-point first-half hole and ran past the Grizzlies 142–126 yesterday. Evan Mobley led with 24 points, Dennis Schröder posted 22 points and 11 assists, and Sam Merrill added 21 as the Cavs clinched the franchise’s 14th 50-win season.

Cleveland did it shorthanded, missing Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Max Strus.