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: Buc-ee’s Is Bringing a Texas Sized Food Experience to Dayton

• Hidden Gems: Hi-Hat Social, Penn's Thai Grille, Napales

• Local Events: 3/24 – 3/31

• Computer Love: Federal Grants Set to Boost Dayton Tech

• Money: $370M Space Force Investment Boosts Dayton

• Sports: Trotwood-Madison wins state title, Reds’ Suárez delivers WBC title, NIT Quarterfinal Returns to UD

— Tom

Did you know?

Buc-ee’s Is Bringing a Texas Sized Food Experience to Dayton 🦫

Buc-ee’s isn’t just opening a gas station in Huber Heights it’s bringing a full on food experience to the Dayton area. The massive store officially opens April 6 at 6 a.m, and it’s built to feel more like a live kitchen than a pit stop. Visitors will watch fresh food made right in front of them, from brisket being sliced to sandwiches and snacks prepared all day long.

The menu is packed with Texas-style barbecue like chopped brisket sandwiches, plus breakfast tacos, burritos, bakery items, and the fan favorite Beaver Nuggets. What really sets it apart? Food is made fresh all day, so there’s always something hot coming out making this one of the most anticipated openings around Dayton.

Click here for more info

Hidden Gems

Vintage Hi-Fi, Craft Cocktails, Asian-American Plates: Hi-Hat Social in Springfield 🍸

A needle drops behind the bar at Hi-Hat Social, turning 28 S. Limestone St. into Springfield’s nightly listening party. In the former Seasons Bistro space, vintage hi-fi gear and a deep record collection reward lingering lunches and after-work drop-ins.

Co-owners Rod Hatfield and Andrew Lazear built the room around mid-century lounge seating and murals that shout out local music legends—plus a wall “sound booth” homage to Hatfield’s jazz-DJ dad, Dick. Chef Clayton Horrighs keeps the kitchen adventurous with Asian-American plates and craft-cocktail energy. No reservations—just show up.

Check them out on Facebook

Penn’s Thai Grille — Bellbrook’s calm, classic curry corner 🍲

Lemongrass and toasted chili drift through Penn’s Thai Grille, a calm, family-run stop at 4459 W. Franklin St. in Bellbrook. Owner Pen, originally from Bangkok, sharpened her skills in a small local kitchen before opening a place of her own—warm hellos included.

The menu stays classic and customizable: pad Thai, curry bowls, basil stir-fries, and Tom Yum noodle soup, with spice levels that can whisper or roar. Lunch specials keep midday steady, and takeout stays smooth when the printer won’t quit. Quietly consistent—easy to claim as “our Thai place.”

Check them out on Facebook

Napales — market-day tacos, plus a Dixie weekday outpost 🌮

Market-day chatter is part of the seasoning at Napales, slinging handmade Mexican street food inside Second Street Market at 600 E. Second St. Chef Santiago and Jennifer Herrera blend Michoacán roots with local culinary know-how, keeping things bright and straightforward.

The board reads like a choose-your-own adventure—build-your-own tacos (carne asada, barbacoa, al pastor), tamales from scratch, and rotating torta-style specials that disappear fast in line. Can’t catch market hours? Napales Dixie keeps the flame going at 2901 N. Dixie Dr. Tuesday–Friday.

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

OHIO CRAFT BREWERS CONFERENCE

• What: Ohio brewers roll into Dayton for education, vendors, and networking—your chance to see the craft-beer world up close.

• When: Mar. 23–25, times vary

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

• How Much: $150+ (registration required) 

STATE CERTIFICATION BENEFITS (MBAC)

• What: Virtual MBAC workshop on Ohio state business certifications—benefits, document checklist, and application guidance with Q&A.

• When: Mar. 24, 10–11:30 AM

• Where: Virtual via Zoom (Dayton Minority Business Assistance Center), Online, Dayton

• How Much: Free 

WONDERFUL WOMEN OF MIAMI VALLEY

• What: A lively Women’s History Month program spotlighting fascinating Dayton-area women—from Erma Bombeck to trailblazing locals you’ll want to know.

• When: Mar. 24, 4–5:30 PM

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

• How Much: Free 

PAT RISSER RSVP MENTAL HEALTH CONF.

• What: A day of keynotes and sessions on mental, emotional, and social well-being—plus plenty of hallway hellos and resource-connecting.

• When: Mar. 25, 8 AM

• Where: Webster Station, 241 Taylor St, Dayton

• How Much: $25+ 

BRAND YOUR STORY WORKSHOP

• What: Hands-on branding session to sharpen your message, define your audience, and make your website/social feel like one clear story.

• When: Mar. 26, 3–5 PM

• Where: Launch Dayton (The Hub), 31 S Main St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

TOM PAPA: GRATEFUL BREAD

• What: Stand-up with Tom Papa—warm, sharp, and comfort-food funny.

• When: Mar. 26, 7–10 PM

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

• How Much: $39+

SCENE75 ADULT NIGHT

• What: After-hours arcade takeover for grown-ups—games, drinks, and late-night fun (21+).

• When: Mar. 27, 10 PM – 2 AM

• Where: Scene75 Entertainment Center, 6196 Poe Ave, Dayton

• How Much: $31.39

STAY BLACK AND DIE

• What: A bold Emerging Artists Series performance that digs into identity, truth-telling, and lived experience—intimate, urgent, and conversation-sparking.

• When: Mar. 27–28, times vary

• Where: PNC Arts Annex, 46 N. Ludlow St., Dayton

• How Much: $20+

MARLON WAYANS WEEKEND TAKEOVER

• What: A three-night stand-up run at the Greene—big laughs, big energy, and that “we needed this” crowd vibe.

• When: Mar. 27–29, doors/times vary

• Where: Dayton Funny Bone, 88 Plum St, Beavercreek

• How Much: $58+ 

STORM LARGE: LOVE, LUST, ROCK

• What: Storm Large + band Le Bonheur deliver powerhouse vocals with rock, cabaret swagger, and big feelings.

• When: Mar. 28, 7:30 PM

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

• How Much: $53

PLANE TALKS: VIETNAM VETERANS DAY

• What: Meet subject-matter experts in the Southeast Asia Gallery for stories and context that bring the aircraft—and the era—into sharper focus.

• When: Mar. 29, 10 AM – 3 PM

• Where: National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, 1100 Spaatz St, Dayton

• How Much: Free 

REVIVE & THRIVE WELLNESS FAIR

• What: An evening of wellness and fun with games, snacks, raffle prizes, and a featured speaker—drop in and grab resources.

• When: Mar. 30, 4–6:30 PM

• Where: Wright State University Student Union (Apollo Room), 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Dayton

• How Much: Free

THE BEACON AUDITIONS

• What: Cold-read auditions for Dayton Theatre Guild’s upcoming drama “The Beacon”—new faces welcome; bring conflicts and jump into the story.

• When: Mar. 30–31, 7 PM

• Where: The Caryl D. Philips TheatreScape, 430 Wayne Ave, Dayton

• How Much: Free

CAREER FAIR CARNIVAL

• What: Game-based career prep—practice networking, polish your elevator pitch, and build confidence before meeting employers.

• When: Mar. 31, 11 AM – 1 PM

• Where: Sinclair Community College (Bldg. 8 Gym), 444 W Third St, Dayton

• How Much: Free

ESTATE PLANNING: QUICK ROADMAP

• What: Free session covering probate, taxes, and long-term care planning—perfect for anyone who keeps saying “we should do a will.”

• When: Mar. 31, 5–6 PM

• Where: Lofino Plaza, 3868 Dayton Xenia Rd, Beavercreek

•  How Much: Free

Computer Love

Federal Grants Set to Boost Dayton Tech 💻

A major wave of federal funding is returning and Dayton’s tech scene is ready to capitalize. Lawmakers are bringing back the SBIR and STTR programs, which provide non dilutive grants to small businesses building new technologies. That means local startups can develop products, scale faster, and keep full ownership while doing it.

For a region built on aerospace, defense, and advanced research, this is a big opportunity. As funding opens back up, expect more innovation, faster growth, and new tech companies gaining traction across the Miami Valley.

Money

$370M Space Force Investment Boosts Dayton 💰

Dayton is landing a major win with a planned $370 million Space Force intelligence facility at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The project has already secured $22.2 million in initial funding and will focus on advanced space and national security operations.

Beyond defense, the real story is the money this kind of federal investment typically brings high paying jobs, steady government funding, and new contracts for local businesses. It also strengthens Dayton’s position as a national hub for aerospace and intelligence, keeping billions in long-term economic activity flowing into the region.

Real Estate 🏠

Sports

First Four at UD Arena: March Madness begins 🏀

Trotwood-Madison brought home its second boys basketball state championship, edging Steubenville 48–47 at UD Arena on March 20.

Junior guard Darius Dennis hit the game-winning bucket with 8.4 seconds left, finishing with 17 points, 14 rebounds, and four steals. It’s the Rams’ first title since 2019—and another postseason chapter stamped “clutch.”

Reds’ Suárez delivers WBC title hit as Venezuela stuns USA
Venezuela won its first World Baseball Classic championship, edging Team USA 3–2 on March 17 in Miami.

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suárez lined the go-ahead double in the ninth, moments after Bryce Harper’s two-run homer tied it in the eighth. Venezuela’s pitching held the U.S. to three hits, and Daniel Palencia closed a perfect ninth.

NIT Quarterfinal Returns to UD Arena March 25
Postseason hoops is back at UD Arena this week: the 2026 NIT Quarterfinal tips Wednesday, March 25 at 7 p.m., with the matchup still to be determined. Tickets go on sale today at 10 AM. Children 2 and under are admitted free. Another big-bracket night lands on 1801 Edwin Moses Blvd.