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Second oldest Oregon District business reopening on founder’s 107th birthday

Bonnett's Book Store is the second oldest business in Dayton's Oregon District after the Goodwill. It was found in 1939 by Harold "Hal" and Ruth Bonnett. The book store at 502 E. Fifth St. remains family-owned.

Bonnett's Book Store is the second oldest business in Dayton's Oregon District after the Goodwill. It was found in 1939 by Harold "Hal" and Ruth Bonnett. The book store at 502 E. Fifth St. remains family-owned.
Coronavirus: Dayton reopens
By Amelia Robinson
May 4, 2020
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The reopening of one of the Oregon District’s oldest businesses will have special significance.

Bonnett’s Bookstore will be back in business on what would have been the co-founder’s 107th birthday.

Kevin Bonnett says his grandfather Harold "Hal" Murray Bonnett was born on May 12, 1913.

Bonnett's Book Store is the second oldest business in Dayton's Oregon District after the Goodwill. It was found in 1939 by Harold "Hal" and Ruth Bonnett. The book store at 502 E. Fifth St. remains family-owned.

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Gov. Mike DeWine announced that retail shops can reopen on May 12 after closing due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Per the governor’s order, the shop closed March 24, Kevin Bonnett’s birthday.

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“Grandpa Harold "Hal" Murray Bonnett was a detective fiction writer before opening the shop with Grandma Ruth (Guy) Bonnett,” Kevin Bonnett said in a Facebook Messenger exchange with his news organization.

Bonnett's Book Store is the second oldest business in Dayton's Oregon District after the Goodwill. It was found in 1939 by Harold "Hal" and Ruth Bonnett. The book store at 502 E. Fifth St. remains family-owned. The shop plans to reopen on May 12. It closed March 24 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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The Bonnetts founded their book store at 502 E. Fifth St. in 1939 and it remains family-owned.

Goodwill is the only Oregon District business older than Bonnett's, Kevin Bonnett said.

Harold Bonnett died Nov. 3, 2005 at Hospice of Dayton. He was 92.

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Bonnett's Book Store is the second oldest business in Dayton's Oregon District after the Goodwill. It was found in 1939 by Harold "Hal" and Ruth Bonnett. The book store at 502 E. Fifth St. remains family-owned.

icon to expand image

The 81-year-old shop sells and trades vintage and hard-to-find books, movies, comics, magazines and collectibles.

Bonnett's Book Store is the second oldest business in Dayton's Oregon District after the Goodwill. It was found in 1939 by Harold "Hal" and Ruth Bonnett. The book store at 502 E. Fifth St. remains family-owned. The shop plans to reopen on May 12. It closed March 24 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

icon to expand image

Bonnett's Book Store is the second oldest business in Dayton's Oregon District after the Goodwill. It was found in 1939 by Harold "Hal" and Ruth Bonnett. The book store at 502 E. Fifth St. remains family-owned. The shop plans to reopen on May 12. It closed March 24 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

icon to expand image

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Community Impact Editor Amelia Robinson is an award-winning columnist, features writer and podcast host. The Ohio University graduates work has appeared in the Dayton Daily News since 2000.