Newsletter: Centerville leaders reject Sheetz proposal

The past few days in Dayton business have been eventful.

Thank you for reading. This is your newsletter. You can reach me at tom.gnau@coxinc.com and (937) 681-5610. Drop me a line, tell me what’s going on. Here’s me on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

First up: A story that shows not all communities find all convenience stores convenient.

Centerville council reversal shuts the door on Sheetz

Hundreds of people visit the new Sheetz in Springfield Twp. Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023 during their grand opening. The new gas station, convenience store and restaurant is located at 4700 S. Charleston Pike. The grand opening offered give aways, raffle prizes and cheap gas. The new Sheetz is the company's 89th store in Ohio. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Credit: Bill Lackey

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Credit: Bill Lackey

Centerville City Council voted unanimously Monday evening to reverse the decision made by Centerville planners in August, when they approved a major site plan to allow a new Sheetz store.

Staff Writer Eric Schwartzberg reported that Sheetz’ plans were found to be “not consistent with the use and character of the surrounding properties” as required under local regulations, “as reflected in the presentations ... of staff, the appellants, the applicant, and persons offering public comment,” a statement from the city’s mayor said.

Why: “These inconsistencies include, but are not limited to, the 24/7 operations of the Sheetz on the property, and the use being the only auto-oriented use south of Fireside Drive; such uses being in contrast to the primarily institutional, residential, and class-one indoor sit-down restaurant uses of the four surrounding properties,” the mayor said.

Golden Nugget site in Kettering sold to Winsupply; new restaurant coming

The Golden Nugget Pancake House in Kettering is reopening this summer after a more than 2-year hiatus. JIM NOELKER/STAFF

Credit: JIM NOELKER

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Credit: JIM NOELKER

Big news from reporters Nick Blizzard and Eric Schwartzberg late last week: Winsupply Inc. bought the shuttered Golden Nugget Pancake House site in Kettering.

The Moraine-based company said it has completed the purchase of the property at 2932 S. Dixie Drive, which has been closed since the COVID pandemic hit in March 2020.

More to come: Winsupply, as property owner, will partner with an entrepreneur to run the restaurant. The company has “an experienced restaurateur” identified, but that deal is not yet finalized.

“We’re not ready to go public with who it is, but we feel very good with the person that we’ve been engaged with,” said Winsupply Vice President of Real Estate Services and Counsel Bill Tolliver

Fairborn award of COVID money to city candidate’s business spurs investigation

The city of Fairborn told the Dayton Daily News there is an investigation into its own 2023 award of federal COVID relief money to a local business owner who is running for city council this fall, a decision a local community group has been questioning.

Why it matters: A Fairborn official told Reporter Nick Blizzard there is an “ongoing investigation” after this news organization obtained documents through a public records request.

The documents involved American Rescue Plan Act funds given to a business operated by city council candidate Sylvia Chess.

When asked about her business receiving the grant, Chess did not answer questions from the Dayton Daily News. She called issues raised about the grant “accusations” and deferred to the city for comment.

New board game shop opens in Fairborn

Justin Schotz and his wife Jordan recently opened Room and Board Gaming on Maple Avenue in Fairborn. LONDON BISHOP/STAFF

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Reporter (and game aficionado) London Bishop reported the recent opening of Room and Board Gaming board game shop on Maple Avenue in Fairborn, a shop that specializes in unusual board games, puzzles, and tabletop roleplaying games.

Bottom line: “You can find the best sellers just about anywhere — you can go to Target and get a lot of them — but we want to carry the stuff that you’re not gonna find at other places,” co-owner Justin Schotz said. “We had one called Raccoon Sky Pirates that lasted about an hour on the shelf.”

Small businesses say JobsOhio loans helped them achieve goals

Terrence Williams, owner of Miami Valley Metal Recycling  talked about the success of his business at the Jobs Ohio and the Dayton Development Coalition luncheon Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. The event was held at the West Social Tap and Table. MARSHALL GORBY\STAFF

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In a recent lunch at West Social Tap and Table in West Dayton, several business owners talked about how helpful Inclusion Grants from JobsOhio have been to them, Staff Writer Eileen McClory reported.

Why it matters: To get an Inclusion Grant, the business must be at least 51% owned by a member of a minority, a woman, a veteran or a person with a disability. The project must also be in a “distressed” zip code.

J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio chief executive, said roughly 400 of these types of grants have been given out in Ohio and about 50 have been awarded in the Dayton area.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and to have a vibrant community, it takes large businesses and small businesses, entrepreneurial businesses, and so we wanted to make sure we covered the gambit,” Nauseef said.

Quick hits

Hail to the chief: Dayton VA Medical Center names new chief of staff.

Zen Lounge downtown: Has closed, Natalie Jones tells us.

Our voters guide: You should check this out. The Dayton Daily News is the only media outlet with this information submitted by candidates in their own words.

PHOTOS: From the Flyers-Buckeyes exhibition game Sunday.

How Southwest Ohio players are trying to create a more sustainable future for flight: Again, Dayton is on the forefront.

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