3 new, local retailers to open soon in downtown Dayton

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

The small business momentum continues in downtown Dayton as three new leases have been recently signed.

Last week, Vy Banks Boudoir signed the lease for a space directly above Grist at Ludlow Place at the Corner of Fifth St. and Ludlow St. An opening date has yet to be set, but according to the Downtown Dayton Partnership, Vy’s owner plans to open soon.

Between August and September, two more businesses secured first floor retail spaces.

ZaLaDaS event planning will open in the RSM building at 10 S. Patterson Boulevard across from Dayton Metro Library. The space is currently under construction and an opening date is still to be determined.

EmBARK dog boutique is scheduled to open later this year in the St. Clair Lofts “about mid-block” between Fourth St. and Third St. in the Fire Blocks District. The boutique will take over the former space of Anthony James Painting and Contracting.

Some of the boutiques products that will be offered in-store can be found on the shop’s Etsy website at etsy.com/shop/LadyEleanorDesigns.

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

Downtown’s most recent additions are part of a trend of local business owners having a vision and goal of taking their existing business and locating it in the downtown district, according to Sandy Gudorf, DDP president.

“The DDP has been working with them (local business owners) through our Site Seeker program to try and find spaces for them,” Gudorf said. “We have seen numerous small businesses continue to locate downtown and, quite frankly, it didn’t really slow during the pandemic.”

The DDP’s Site Seeker program is a free and confidential service that helps small business owners in the search for first floor commercial space. More information on the service can be found at downtowndayton.org.

“Additionally, we’ve had a significant number of businesses that have been women-owned, minority owned and we’re excited about that as well,” Gudorf said.

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