Category Archives: Local Businesses

Dayton Firsts Part 9

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Happy New Year, Dayton! We hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season. Now it’s time to get back into the grind! As it’s the first Friday of the month, we have some more Dayton firsts for you!

  • First Stage Line – the route for stage coaches between Dayton and Cincinnati was started in 1818, by a Mr. Lyon.
  • First Sewing Machine – Brought to Dayton by an S. N. Shear, on October 11, 1851.
  • First Lion – The first lion to be exhibited in Dayton was shown on April 22nd, 1819 in the barnyard at Reid’s Inn, which later became the site of Loew’s theater (at 125 North Main Street). The first elephant ever seen here was shown at the same place on April 11, 1820.

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Dayton Firsts Part 8

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  • First Girls’ School – Opened in March, 1815, by Mrs. Diomecia Sullivan on the west side of Main Street, south of Third Street.

  • First Show – A display of “wax works and figures,” on February 13, 1815.

  • First Fire Engine – Came from Philadelphia and through Cincinnati, and arrived in Dayton in the spring of 1826.

  • First Milliner – The first millinery store was opened by Ann Yamans in June 1815. She advertised her supply of goose feathers, and announced that military gentlemen could find her shop on Main Street, south of Second Street, with a full stock of plumes and decorations.

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Dayton Firsts Part 7

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It’s time for some more interesting facts about the early days of Dayton!

  • First Masonic Lodge — The Masonic Lodge, and the first fraternal organization here, was St. John’s Lodge No. 13, the charter of which was granted by the state Grand Lodge at Chillicothe on January 10, 1812.
  • First Bank — The first banking institution in the city was known as the Dayton Manufacturing Company. It was incorporated by the legislature in 1813, and began business on December 13 of that year, in a building at the first alley south of Monument Avenue on Main Street.
  • First Stone Residence — About 1813, William Huffman built the first stone residence at Third and Jefferson. It served as both dwelling and store.

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Dayton Innovator – Philip Haas

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Sometimes your life’s work going down the drain is a good thing…
Born in Germany in 1874, Philip Haas had at least 10 siblings. The family emigrated to the US in 1888, settling in Dayton. Soon after, Haas became an apprentice to a plumber, starting his career.

Philip did not invent the toilet, however he made many improvements to it that are still in use today, turning a formerly unreliable product into its modern equivalent. Over the course of his career, Hass applied for 31 plumbing and/or toilet related patents.

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Hometown Eats – Part 5

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Try these delicious restaurants in Dayton!

  • Pasha Grill – Turkish
    – 72 Plum Street, The Greene
    – Try the hummus!

  • George’s Family Restaurant – Diner
    – 5216 North Dixie, Dayton
    – Friendly service and great food!

  • Smokin Bar-b-que
    -200 East Fifth Street, Dayton
    -The pulled pork and Southern Style greens are delicious!

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Dayton Sideshow

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Sideshow 11

When: Friday May 13 from 5pm to 1 am and Saturday, May 14 from 3pm to 1 am

Where: Old Yellow Cab Building, 700 East Fourth Street, Dayton 45402.

This weekend is Sideshow 11, Dayton’s community arts festival. You will see paintings, sculptures, and art installations and hear live musical acts. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. This is a family friendly event, so bring the kids along as you explore different styles of art and self-expression. Food trucks and local brews will be available as well, so make a night of it.

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Dayton Crafty-Con 2016

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Love hand-crafted items? Crafty-Con is just the place! From handmade soaps to painted wine glasses, you will find something you like.

If a craft show isn’t enough of a draw, it’s also a fundraising event for Sideshow, a free celebration of the art and music scene in Dayton. It’s not a commercial event; no price tags will be on these pieces. Since this is a non-profit event, artists are asked to help with setup and tear down of the event.

“The Sideshow is a community driven event. We are a diverse group of individuals who wish to express ourselves to the Dayton Metro area. There will be no monetary gain from this endeavor. The gains will be found in personal growth and human connection. The show will be supported solely by members of our community.” – Laurana Wong, Sideshow Originator

Check out the website for more information about Sideshow!

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Hometown Eats – Part 4

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Looking for a place to eat dinner this weekend? Check out these local restaurants!

  • Thai 9 – Thai & Sushi
    – 11 Brown Street, Dayton
    – Business Casual Dress Code – Jeans and tshirt accepted, no tank tops.

  • El Meson – Hispanic Food/Tapas
    – 903 East Dixie Drive
    – Gluten Free and Vegetarian Friendly

  • Carver’s Steak & Chops
    – 1535 Miamisburg Centerville Road
    – Happy Hour 5-7 Weekdays

  • Boston’s Bistro & Pub
    – 7500 North Main Street, Dayton
    – Say hi to Dave the owner for us!

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    Owner David Boston with Millionaire Matchmaker’s Justin Bird.

  • Barnsider Restaurant
    – 5202 North Main Street
    – Great Service!

  • Crazy Mango Bar & Bistro
    – 81 Magnolia Lane, The Greene
    – Eat outside for a great atmosphere!

Prominent Local Figures: James Ritty

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After opening his first saloon in Dayton, James “Jake” Ritty had a problem.

Jake’s employees were stealing, and he could not prove it. Stressed over the deficit in his profits, Jake decided to sail to Europe to get away for a while.

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Esther Price – Dayton’s Sweetheart

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Christmas in Dayton isn’t complete until a box of Esther Price candy has passed through your hands.

Although the business got its start in 1926, Esther Price’s roots as a candy maker go back to a 7th grade Home Economics class. After partnering with her classmate to make fudge the first time, Esther kept her share to give to her mother, but decided instead to eat that share and make more when she got home. A love affair with candy was born.

Esther started making candy for income while she worked at Rike’s, selling candy to her coworkers to supplement her income. After leaving the job to stay at home with a growing family, Esther started making candy to help make ends meet while her husband Ralph worked at the National Biscuit Company.

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