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: Dayton's Best Food Deals Are Here But Only for One Week

• Hidden Gems: Chicago Gyros & Dogs, Red Bird Pizza, Pettibone Coffee

• Local Events: 7/28 – 8/4

• Computer Love: Dayton's Next Tech Talent Is Already Being Built

• Money: $850M Aircraft Project Brings Nearly 2,000 Jobs to the Dayton Region

• Sports: Bengals Flag Teams Take National Stage, Dragons President Makes Power 100, Dragons Update

— Tom

Did you know?

Dayton's Best Food Deals Are Here But Only for One Week 🍽️

Dayton Restaurant Week is officially underway, giving food lovers the perfect excuse to try something new while supporting local restaurants. Through this week only, participating restaurants across the Miami Valley are serving special prix-fixe menus and exclusive deals you won't find any other time of the year.

Whether you're planning a date night, family dinner, or lunch with coworkers, it's one of the easiest ways to experience some of Dayton's best local dining without breaking the bank. Just don't wait too long these limited time menus disappear once Restaurant Week ends.

Click here to learn more

Hidden Gems

Chicago dogs meet Greek gyros with a Dayton twist 🌭

Two food traditions meet at Chicago Gyros & Dogs, 3979 Indian Ripple Rd. in Beavercreek. Greek comfort arrives in hand-carved gyro sandwiches, salads, hummus, and pita, while Windy City staples bring Chicago-style dogs and Italian beef into the mix. Then comes the local curveball: the Dayton Dog, bacon-wrapped and dressed with mustard, relish, onions, sport peppers, and fries.

The bright, fast-moving setup keeps lunch easy without feeling anonymous, backed by a team that has cooked with passion for decades. It’s a cross-cultural neighborhood stop with plenty of swagger—and a distinctly Miami Valley touch.

Check them out on Facebook

Friendship, family, and a downtown slice: Red Bird Pizza 🍕

Red Bird Pizza began with a neighbor tasting Christian Clothier’s pie and asking why more people couldn’t have it. That spark became the shop at 18 N. Second St. in Miamisburg, opened with co-owner Ife Olaore in October 2024.

Clothier’s New Jersey roots shape its East Coast character, while fresh mozzarella, local ingredients, and Neapolitan-minded details keep each pizza personal. The Drunken Daisy, Spicy Vodka Roni, and mushroom-topped Toussaint lead a tight lineup of 10- and 16-inch pies. Even the name carries family history, honoring Clothier’s cardinal-loving grandmother. Downtown Miamisburg gets craft, memory, and a fine slice of ambition.

Check them out on Facebook

Pettibone Coffee | Riverside’s room to exhale ☕

Space changes the tempo at Pettibone Coffee. Garage doors, bay windows, and roughly 90 seats give the 4,500-square-foot flagship at 215 Woodman Dr. in Riverside room to breathe, meet, or simply disappear into a cup. Mother-and-son team Marci and Jonathan Purcey opened the café in 2021, naming it for Pettibone Lake, a family retreat tied to connection and slowing down.

Coffees are roasted with restraint to highlight sweetness, balance, and origin character; house-made pastries and fresh breakfast and lunch sandwiches round out the pause. Spacious, thoughtful, and unmistakably local, Pettibone turns a routine coffee run into reclaimed time.

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

AIR FORCE INDUSTRY LEADERS CONNECT

• What: Defense, technology, and acquisition leaders discuss Air Force priorities, partnerships, innovation, and the future of lifecycle management.

• When: Jul. 27–29; times vary

• Where: Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St., Dayton

• How Much: $795+; eligible government attendees free 

RENTERS KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

• What: Dayton Tenant Union and Legal Aid explain leases, renter protections, and housing-crisis resources in a practical community session.

• When: Jul. 28, 4:30 PM

• Where: Dayton Metro Library – West Branch, 300 Abbey Ave., Dayton

• How Much: Free 

BUILD A BETTER CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

• What: Small-business owners map service friction, practice customer recovery, and build a 30-day plan for stronger loyalty and repeat business.

• When: Jul. 29, 2–4 PM

• Where: Online, hosted by Ohio SBDC at Miami Valley

• How Much: Free 

HELP GROW DAYTON’S TREE CANOPY

• What: Residents explore canopy challenges and help shape an equitable, healthier urban forest plan for Dayton neighborhoods.

• When: Jul. 29, 6–7 PM

• Where: Virtual workshop hosted by the City of Dayton

• How Much: Free; registration required 

JOSHUA BELL STRINGS SPRINGFIELD

• What: Internationally celebrated violinist Joshua Bell joins the Springfield Symphony Orchestra for a rare, one-night performance.

• When: Jul. 30, 7:30 PM

• Where: Clark State Performing Arts Center, 300 S. Fountain Ave., Springfield

• How Much: $90+; student tickets $25 

MOTOWN SOUNDS MOVE RIVERSCAPE

• What: The Motown Sounds of Touch fill RiverScape with polished harmonies, classic choreography, and dance-floor favorites from Detroit’s golden era.

• When: Jul. 31, 7–9 PM

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

• How Much: Free 

ANNE WILSON: FAITH MEETS COUNTRY

• What: Anne Wilson blends country storytelling and faith-filled anthems, with special guest Leanna Crawford opening an uplifting summer night.

• When: Jul. 31, 8 PM; gates open at 7 PM

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

• How Much: https://fraze.com/anne-wilson-2026/$40+ 

BRITISH CAR DAY DRIVES EASTWOOD

• What: Classic Jaguars, MGs, Triumphs, Minis, and other British beauties gather for displays, awards, vendors, and enthusiastic motoring conversation.

• When: Aug. 1, 9 AM – 4 PM

• Where: Eastwood MetroPark, 1385 Harshman Rd., Dayton

• How Much: Spectators free; day-of vehicle registration $25 

GREAT AMERICAN BEER TASTING

• What: Adults 21+ sample 100-plus beers, ciders, and seltzers, with field games, a souvenir pint glass, and raffle fun.

• When: Aug. 1, 12–3 PM

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

• How Much: $55; designated-driver tickets $15 

ART TAKES OVER DOWNTOWN

• What: Live music, demonstrations, chalk murals, roving performers, and hands-on art fill downtown hubs with colorful, all-ages creative energy.

• When: Aug. 1, 1–7 PM

• Where: Multiple downtown locations, centered at Dayton Arcade, 35 W. Fourth St., Dayton

• How Much: Free 

MUCH ADO LIGHTS STUBBS PARK

• What: Cincinnati Shakespeare Company stages a 1776-set comedy mixing romance, witty sparring, mistaken identities, and joyful outdoor theater.

• When: Aug. 1, 7 PM

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

• How Much: Free 

LOCAL MAKERS FILL HARRINGTON HOUSE

• What: Farmers, bakers, specialty-food vendors, makers, and food trucks gather for a relaxed market celebrating Beavercreek’s small businesses.

• When: Aug. 2, 12–3 PM

• Where: Artisans at Harrington House, 3930 Dayton Xenia Rd., Beavercreek

• How Much: Free 

GREENE COUNTY FAIR CELEBRATES COUNTRY ROOTS

• What: Livestock shows, carnival rides, contests, grandstand thrills, fair food, and agricultural traditions bring Greene County together for a spirited summer celebration.

• When: Aug. 2–8, times vary

• Where: Greene County Fairgrounds, 120 Fairground Rd., Xenia

• How Much: $10 daily; ages 5 and under free; $40 seasonal pass 

DRUM CORPS PRELIMS MARCH INTO DAYTON

• What: Elite Open Class drum corps compete with powerful brass, precision percussion, colorful flags, and tightly choreographed field productions.

• When: Aug. 3, 6 PM; Championship finals Aug. 4

• Where: Welcome Stadium, 1601 S. Edwin C. Moses Blvd., Dayton

• How Much: $32+ 

TIME MANAGEMENT WITHOUT THE BURNOUT

• What: Learn practical prioritization, habit-building, and scheduling strategies designed to create clarity, productivity, and healthier boundaries.

• When: Aug. 4, 10–11 AM

• Where: Online, hosted by the Yellow Springs Chamber of Commerce

• How Much: Free; advance registration available

Computer Love

Dayton's Next Tech Talent Is Already Being Built 👨‍💻

Dayton's future tech workforce just got a major boost. Wright State University has launched the Raider Immersion Program, a new initiative that gives students paid, hands on experience working alongside some of the region's top defense and technology companies.

Instead of learning only in the classroom, students will help solve real world engineering, cybersecurity, software, and research challenges while being mentored by industry professionals. The program partners with leading employers, including Booz Allen Hamilton and ASRC Federal, creating a direct path from college to high demand tech careers.

With Dayton already recognized as a national hub for aerospace, defense, and innovation, the Raider Immersion Program is helping ensure the region has the skilled workforce needed to power the next generation of technology. It's another sign that the Miami Valley continues to invest in the people who will build tomorrow's breakthroughs.

Click here to learn more

Money

$850M Aircraft Project Brings Nearly 2,000 Jobs to the Dayton Region 💰

The Dayton region is getting a major economic boost as aircraft manufacturer Electra announced plans to invest $850 million in a new production facility in Springfield. The project is expected to create 1,975 new jobs, making it one of the largest manufacturing investments the region has seen in years.

Construction is expected to begin next year, with the facility producing Electra's next generation hybrid electric aircraft. Company leaders chose the Dayton Springfield area because of its strong aerospace workforce, advanced manufacturing talent, and close ties to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The investment is another sign that the Miami Valley continues to strengthen its reputation as one of the nation's leading aerospace hubs.

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

BENGALS FLAG TEAMS TAKE NATIONAL STAGE 🏈

Ten Bengals-affiliated teams qualified for the NFL FLAG Championships in Westfield, Indiana, including Athena Warriors Select in the High School Girls division and Ohio’s Toledo Dirty Birdz at 10U.

More than 350 teams competed across 13 divisions July 23–26, making it the world’s largest youth flag football tournament and a major showcase for the sport’s regional growth.

DRAGONS PRESIDENT MAKES POWER 100
Dayton Dragons President Robert Murphy has been named to the Dayton Business Journal’s 2026 Power 100: 25 Years of Progress.

Since helping launch the franchise in 1999, Murphy has guided the Dragons through 26 seasons, generating an estimated $27.5 million in annual economic impact and more than $700 million overall while strengthening downtown Dayton through community programs, business partnerships and year-round events.

DRAGONS TAKE MOMENTUM ON THE ROAD
Dayton nearly swept Cedar Rapids at Day Air Ballpark, winning the first five games behind two walk-offs, a 10-inning comeback and a club-record-tying eight stolen bases before the Kernels rallied in Sunday’s finale.

The Dragons visit Quad Cities July 28–August 2, then return home August 4 to open a six-game set against Great Lakes.