Former bank to house boutique, flight crews
Woman starts over by buying building. ‘I’ve always kind of had a dream to do something on my own.’
— To Debbie Fain, VANDALIA the property at 115 E. National Road is more than just the site of the old Vandalia State Bank. It’s an opportunity to start over.
On the verge of losing her facilities project manager job to outsourcing, Fain originally thought about renting some space in the 1940s-era building when she first saw the property.
“I really didn’t know what I was going to rent it for. It’s just that I knew I was losing my job of 32 years, and I’m 51 and I’m like, ‘How do you start over? What do you do with your life?’ ” she said of what she thought then. “I’ve always kind of had a dream to do something on my own, and things fell into place.”
Fain purchased the threestory building in March for $135,000, according to Montgomery County real estate records.
“I just had this drive and this intuition. Something just said to go for it,” Fain said.
The building, now known as City Space Rt 40, is going through renovation. It has the potential to become a small business hub and a temporary home away from home for some flight crews coming to Dayton International Airport, which is less than 10 minutes away.
“We’re very excited to see this mixed-use building being utilized in a fashion that’s consistent with our comprehensive plan,” said Rich Hopkins, Vandalia’s communication manager.
He said the building is situated in the middle of the city’s downtown business corridor, which is a priority in terms of the city’s economic development.
“It’s important to us that this stretch of National Road has active and thriving businesses, and we’re ready to help in any way we can to assist the new tenants as they ramp up their business plan,” Hopkins said.