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: Hollywood Is Coming to Yellow Springs

• Hidden Gems: Hickory Bar-B-Q, Luigi’s Ristorante, Penn’s Thai Grille

• Local Events: 9/29 – 10/6

• Computer Love: Defense Tech Company Moves Headquarters to Dayton

• Money: Walmart Drops $300M on Huge Dayton Area Project

• Sports: Buckeyes Open Big Ten Play with Win, Flyers Sweep Davidson, Trotwood Survives Overtime, Bengals Fall Late

— Tom

Did you know?

Hollywood Is Coming to Yellow Springs 🎬

Yellow Springs is hosting a star-studded film festival this week featuring comedian Hannibal Buress, actress Juliette Lewis, live music, documentaries and even a special screening of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska Live.

The Yellow Springs Film Festival runs October 1–4 at venues around the village, including Antioch College, the Little Art Theatre and WYSO. Festival passes are already sold out, but individual tickets are still available for select events.

Click here to learn more

Hidden Gems

Ribs & Romance: Hickory Bar-B-Q 🥩

Before Hickory Bar-B-Q became a Dayton dinner tradition, it was a love story. Joe and Irene Kiss immigrated from Romania in the early 1930s and later met at the Walnut Hills Bar. In 1962, they teamed up with Irene’s brother and sister-in-law to open the restaurant. At 1082 Brown St., dark wood and framed photographs give the dining room its timeless supper-club character.

Barbecued ribs and broiled steaks share space with Hungarian cabbage rolls made from Irene’s mother’s recipe. The Kiss family took full ownership in 1989, and their daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren have all worked here. More than six decades later, Hickory remains a Dayton gem where some family heirlooms are framed, and others come with a knife and fork.

Check them out on Facebook

Room for a celebration at Luigi’s 🍝

Anniversaries and ordinary dinner dates share the same intimate setting at Luigi’s Ristorante Italiano. Opened in 2021 at 404 Second Ave. in Mason, the locally owned restaurant pairs a full bar with Executive Chef Thomas Robins’s Italian cooking. Lobster-and-mascarpone ravioli comes with brown butter, spinach, and roasted tomato; chicken piccata features lemon, fried capers, and artichokes.

Pasta Misti makes room for burrata ravioli, tortellini, and potato gnocchi together. The approach gives familiar dishes some distinctive details. Private dining accommodates a larger guest list, bringing birthdays and milestones into the story of this small Mason restaurant.

Check them out on Facebook

Penn’s Thai Grille: Beyond the Heat 🥘

Green curry at Penn’s Thai Grille has a sweet accent: pineapple alongside coconut milk, fresh basil, and vegetables. Tom yum noodle soup takes a sharper route, combining sour broth with herbs and garlic oil. Both belong to owner Pen’s Bangkok-inspired kitchen at 4459 W. Franklin St. in Bellbrook, a relaxed dining room shaped by her years working in a small local restaurant.

The restaurant says it supplements ingredients from Thailand with organic vegetables from its own farm. A broad vegetarian selection gives those ingredients plenty of attention. Chile brings the heat, but it doesn’t get the last word.

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 5000+ Daytonians?

Local Events

COMPUTER QUESTIONS? MEET YOUR TECH NEIGHBORS

• What: Connect with fellow computer enthusiasts at the Dayton Microcomputer Association’s monthly meeting, where neighbors share technology knowledge and learn together. 

• When: Sept. 29, 6 PM social gathering; 7 PM presentation 

• Where: TJ Chumps, 7050 Executive Blvd., Huber Heights

• How Much: Free; Zoom option available, registration required 

FOLK & FRIENDS WITH KINDRED VALLEY

• What: Gather for Kindred Valley’s indie-folk harmonies and Americana sounds. All ages are welcome.

• When: Sept. 29, 7:30 PM; doors at 7 PM

• Where: The Hidden Gem Music Club, 507 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, Dayton

• How Much: $15+

MANUFACTURING MEETS OPPORTUNITY

• What: Connect with manufacturers and workforce partners to explore apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, and ways to develop the region’s talent.

• When: Sept. 30, 8:30 AM – 12 PM

• Where: Sinclair Community College, 444 W. Third Street, Dayton

• How Much: Free; registration required

SUSTAINABLE SEPTEMBER, ONE LAST TOAST

• What: Meet sustainability-minded neighbors at Waste-Free Dayton’s month-end gathering, with complimentary light appetizers and plenty of conversation.

• When: Sept. 30, 5:30–7:30 PM

• Where: Joui Wine, 117 E. Third Street, Dayton

• How Much: Free; reserve a spot 

BRANTLEY GILBERT ROCKS THE ROSE

• What: Country-rock meets autumn air as Brantley Gilbert brings his Real American Tour to town with John Morgan and Jay Webb.

• When: Oct. 1, 7 PM; doors at 6 PM

• Where: Rose Music Center, 6800 Executive Boulevard, Huber Heights

• How Much: $73+

YELLOW SPRINGS FILM FESTIVAL: LIGHTS, CAMERA, COMMUNITY

• What: Celebrate independent films, filmmaker Q&As, live music, and classic screenings during four days of big-screen storytelling and small-town connection.

• When: Oct. 1–4; times vary

• Where: Foundry Theater, 920 Corry Street; Little Art Theatre, 247 Xenia Avenue; WYSO, 314 Dayton Street; and Short Street between Xenia Avenue and S. Walnut Street, Yellow Springs

• How Much: Prices vary by event

IRVA: EXPLORING REMOTE-VIEWING CLAIMS

• What: Explore remote-viewing and paranormal claims through lectures, panels, workshops, and social gatherings at this four-day conference.

• When: Oct. 1–4, times vary

• Where: Marriott at the University of Dayton, 1414 S. Patterson Boulevard, Dayton

• How Much: $175+ 

FIRST FRIDAY, ARCADE STYLE

• What: Browse local shops and pop-up vendors, catch live music, and soak up the Arcade’s historic charm.

• When: Oct. 2, 5–8 PM

• Where: Dayton Arcade Concourse, 24 W. Third Street entrance, Dayton

• How Much: Free admission 

TEQUILA FEST AT THE GREENE

• What: Build a tequila flight, enjoy Britches Down’s live music, and browse local food vendors at this first-time festival.

• When: Oct. 2, 5–9 PM

• Where: The Greene, 4452 Buckeye Lane, Beavercreek

• How Much: $25 includes four tequila samples and a sample cocktail; food extra 

CENTERVILLE FALL FEST

• What: Celebrate autumn with live music, nearly 100 local vendors, food trucks, an expanded Kids Zone, and free pumpkins while supplies last.

• When: Oct. 3, 12–8 PM

• Where: Stubbs Park, 255 W. Spring Valley Road, Centerville

• How Much: Free admission

WAGNER SUBARU OUTDOOR EXPERIENCE

• What: Bring the family—and the dog—for outdoor adventures, live music, and a free festival celebrating Dayton’s love of getting outside.

• When: Oct. 3–4, times vary

• Where: Eastwood MetroPark, 1385 Harshman Road, Dayton

• How Much: Free

MOVING HEARTS & SOLES TOGETHER

• What: Join neighbors for Premier Health’s African American Wellness Walk, with a community program followed by a welcoming 5K walk.

• When: Oct. 4, 2:30–4 PM; walk starts at 3 PM

• Where: Jake Grossnickle Memorial Park, 137 Heathcliff Road, Englewood

• How Much: Free; registration required

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS: TRADITIONS TOGETHER

• What: Explore Día de los Muertos traditions, including altar making, at an all-ages gathering celebrating Hispanic heritage and community connection.

• When: Oct. 5, 4:30–6:30 PM

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

• How Much: Free 

LEGO NIGHT, FAMILY CONNECTIONS

• What: Fathers and families build together over LEGO projects and food, hosted by the Montgomery County Fatherhood Initiative.

• When: Oct. 5, 6–8 PM

• Where: Dayton Brick Shop, 5519 Bigger Road, Dayton

• How Much: Free; registration required

VETERANS’ RECOVERY DAY

• What: Connect with fellow veterans through recovery stories, wellness activities, peer support, community resources, and refreshments.

• When: Oct. 6, 9 AM – 3:30 PM

• Where: Dayton VA Medical Center, Building 305, 4100 W. Third Street, Dayton

• How Much: Free

THE GREAT TECH INTEGRATION DEBATE

• What: Join Ashima Sharma and Keith Ballard for an interactive debate about connected software platforms, artificial intelligence, and defense technology.

• When: Oct. 6, 3:30–6 PM

• Where: Digital Transformation Center, 1520 S. Main Street, Dayton

• How Much: Free; registration required

Computer Love

Defense Tech Company Moves Headquarters to Dayton 🖥️

Defense contractor Sumaria Systems is moving its corporate headquarters from Massachusetts to the Dayton area, bringing the company closer to Wright Patterson Air Force Base and its existing local operations.

The company is also investing in a new facility and expanding its Digital Engineering Lab, where it works on technologies including advanced aerospace systems, autonomous systems and digital engineering.

The move adds another major defense tech headquarters to the Miami Valley’s growing aerospace ecosystem.

Money

Walmart Drops $300M on Huge Dayton Area Project 💰

Walmart is investing more than $300 million in a new 1.18-million-square-foot fulfillment center in Turtlecreek Township, just south of Dayton.

The facility is expected to create 315 full time jobs by the end of 2029, generating about $19.5 million in new annual payroll.

The center will handle larger items like TVs and furniture and help Walmart expand its next day delivery network across the region.

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

SMITH ERUPTS AS BUCKEYES OPEN BIG TEN PLAY WITH WIN 🏈

No. 7 Ohio State opened Big Ten play with a 42-19 win over Illinois, improving to 3-1. Jeremiah Smith was unstoppable, catching 12 passes for 217 yards and four touchdowns while surpassing 3,000 career receiving yards.

Julian Sayin also ran for a score, and the Buckeyes extended their winning streak over Illinois to 10 games and their home streak to 11.

FLYERS SWEEP DAVIDSON TO START A-10 PLAY

Dayton volleyball opened Atlantic 10 play with a weekend sweep of Davidson at the Frericks Center. The Flyers won Friday’s opener 3-1 behind Kamryn Hunt’s 15 kills, then swept Saturday’s rematch 25-23, 25-19, 25-12.

Hunt added 13 kills in the finale, while Ava Liening posted six block assists. Dayton improved to 10-5 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

TROTWOOD SURVIVES OVERTIME TEST

Trotwood-Madison needed overtime Friday but kept its surge alive, beating Indianapolis Cathedral 17-10 in Trotwood. The Rams improved to 5-1 and extended their winning streak to five games after opening the season with a loss.

It was their closest victory during the streak, following dominant wins over Fairmont, Springfield, Alter and Taft. Trotwood remains the Dayton area’s top-ranked team.

BENGALS FALL LATE IN AFC NORTH THRILLER

Cincinnati suffered its first loss Sunday, falling 30-27 at Pittsburgh in an AFC North thriller. Joe Burrow completed 28 of 37 passes for 282 yards and three touchdowns, while Ja’Marr Chase had 98 receiving yards and a score.

The Bengals led 27-24 in the fourth quarter, but two Chris Boswell field goals and a late Burrow fumble swung the game to Pittsburgh.