Phebe’s Café to close in downtown Dayton at end of October

Owner says he had been grappling with staffing shortages, rising costs of goods and rent.

Lonnie Sholar, owner of Phebe’s Café, said Tuesday that the downtown Dayton coffee shop and café in the Fifth Third Center is closing at the end of October.

A letter dated Sept. 26 from R.L.R. Investments says the month-to-month lease between the company and Sholar dated Feb. 28, 2020 will not be renewed.

“Therefore, you must vacate the Leased Premises on or before October 31, 2022,” the letter adds.

R.L.R. Investments L.L.C., the property investment company associated with Wilmington-based trucking company R&L Carriers, bought the Fifth Third Center building from One South

Main Street Holdings LLC. The building had been on the auction block in November 2019.

Sholar said he had been grappling with staffing shortages, rising costs of goods and an increase in rent in previous months.

He said he was hoping to reopen in a different location, but at this time he didn’t really see anything nearby.

“Maybe down the road,” Sholar said. “Times are tough right now anyways just getting staff in, groceries and stuff like that.”

He said he appreciates the support from his customers and hopes to continue to see them while he’s out with his food truck, Sophia & Mak’s Caribbean Cuisine.

Phebe’s Café is open 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for coffee and lunch starting at 11 a.m.

STAFF FILE Phebe’s Café, located in the Fifth Third Center in downtown Dayton, is closing at the end of the month. Owner Lonnie Sholar said the business has been hit hard by staffing shortages and cost increases, but he hopes to reopen in another location.