Multiple entertainment, eating options planned for downtown
Ax throwing, bars, gaming, among planned additions.
DAYTON— If things go as planned, downtown Dayton will have a lot more dining options come fall plus a
— place to throw axes.
“By late summer, there should be six new businesses — bars, restaurants, fitness and cafes — in the Fire Blocks,” said Eric VanZwieten, a spokesman for Columbus-based Windsor Companies. A new entertainment venue would include ax throwing.
“It is kind of a new, hip thing to do,” VanZwieten said. “It is a super fun activity to do with a group of friends, corporate (outings) and fitness.”
Windsor took over the development of the Fire Blocks District last summer with hopes of reinvigorating both sides of Third Street between St. Clair and Jefferson streets for commercial and residential use.
The Century Bar announced Feb. 18 that it had signed a lease with Windsor and would relocate next door to the former Dayton Power and Light Building at 18 to 20 S. Jefferson St.
The bar dates back to 1942 under that name and at its current location, 10 S. Jefferson St. in the Fire Blocks.
Maria and Eric Walusis, owners of Watermark restaurant in Miamisburg, are also in negotiations to open a new restaurant in space at the corner of South Jefferson and East Third streets. It would include The Century Bar’s current location, 10 S. Jefferson St.
The Fire Blocks developer has declined to identify other potential tenants, but says they include an “elevated bar” concept, a coffee shop, a sports bar with a twist, and a games and entertainment destination unlike anything in Dayton.
One space would be similar to Pins Mechanical Company in Columbus and Cincinnati, he said. It would offer ax throwing, beer pong and other physical activities.
“It will be stuff to do instead of just sitting around drinking with friends,” VanZwieten said. “It going to be a social hub of downtown Dayton. Pins Mechanical offers ping pong, pinball, foosball, duckpin bowling and bocce.”
VanZwieten said the Dayton venue’s rentable ax-throwing lanes would be similar to those found at Dueling Axes, a Columbus throwing lounge.
It will be located below the 71 unit housing project known as the “Huffman Lofts” in what was formerly known as the Huffman Block building. The loft apartments on the upper levels are expected to open in the fall.
The games and entertainment destination could open in late spring, and other businesses could open in the summer, VanZwieten told this news organization.
Last week, VanZwieten said two “killer bar concepts” are likely coming into the Fire Blocks District, possibly with the entertainment and games business wedged between and connecting them. VanZwieten told this news organization multiple groups met with an architect and began laying out vacant first-floor spaces in the 100 block of East Third Street.
A fitness studio also is looking to move into one of the ground-floor spaces, and so is a breakfast sandwich shop, he said.
He said a coffee shop from California also is planning to move into a different building on the south side of East Third Street.
The Fire Blocks District is centered around the 100 block of East Third Street.
Fundraiser this weekend
The Fire Blocks will host a fundraiser at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, in a basement used as a speakeasy in the prohibition era, VanZwieten said.
The benefit for the Dayton Victory Project, a nonprofit after-school program for disengaged boys, will feature Nashville based indie/ folk band Bruns. Local indie artists Isicle and Noah Fogg will also perform.
A $7 donation will be accepted at the door. Guests will receive the secret code needed to enter the speakeasy after making a reservation at thewindsorcompanies.com/fire-blocks-district-rsvp/