Dayton937

Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

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Trader Joe’s 14th Customer Choice Award Winners

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Today, Trader Joe’s announced their 14th Customer Choice Award winners—these are the best products according to customers like you and me. Here are the winners by category:

P.S. You may be surprised that certain beloved Trader Joe’s products didn’t make the cut this year—namely Mandarin Orange Chicken, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Unexpected Cheddar, Soy Chorizo, and Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets. That’s because these recurring winners were inducted to Trader Joe’s Hall of Fame and are no longer eligible to win.

Trader Joe's Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips
Simply Recipes / Trader Joe’s

Overall Winner: Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips

The Chili & Lime Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips are the overall winner and favorite in the snack category too. At least twice a month I get pitches from writers that want to share their love of these chips with the world. That’s how popular these are. I suspect these snacks are going to fly off the shelves now that the word is officially out about their awesomeness. Grab a bag or four while you can!

Trader Joe's honey crisp apple juice
Simply Recipes / Trader Joe’s

Favorite Trader Joe’s Beverage: Sparkling Honeycrisp Apple Juice Beverage

Of all the 2022 winners, this is the only product I’ve never tried because it’s seasonal—it typically shows up around the end of October through December. According to a friend, these taste just like honeycrisp apples and are amazing with apple bourbon and ice. At $3.99 for a pack of four cans, I’d say they are a pretty good deal, too.

Trader Joe's cheddar cheese
Simply Recipes / Trader Joe’s

Best Trader Joe’s Cheese: Cheddar with Caramelized Onions

What a genius combination! There are so many ways this creamy cheddar with caramelized onions can elevate any recipe:

  • Shred it over pita bread and bake it until melty for the best cheesy bread.
  • Make grilled cheese with it.
  • Shred and sprinkle it over scalloped potatoes.
  • Stuff a burger for the most delightful gooey surprise when you bit into it.
Trader Joe's hold the cone
Simply Recipes / Trader Joe’s

Favorite Trader Joe’s Dessert: Hold the Cone!

Writer Stephanie Ganz introduced me to these mini ice cream cones that come in three standard flavors—vanilla (my favorite), chocolate, and chocolate chip—plus the occasional seasonal flavors like peppermint, coffee, and pumpkin ginger. What. a. delight! Not only are they delicious, as a parent of three boys, I’m grateful that they are small enough to curb a sugar rush yet big enough to scratch an itchy craving for something sweet.

Trader Joe's butter chicken
Simply Recipes / Trader Joe’s

The Best Trader Joe’s Entree: Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice

Trader Joe’s does frozen Indian meals very well, and the butter chicken is no exception. Stock up on them for quick desk lunches for work. From a scale of zero to five (zero being not spicy and five burning your mouth), this one is a zero point five. Trader Joe’s Fiery Chicken Curry is spicier, and in my opinion, better. I would recommend buying one of each, the butter chicken, the chicken tikka masala, the fiery chicken curry, and all other vegetarian options, to find your favorite.

Trader Joe's banana
Simply Recipes / Trader Joe’s

Most Loved Trader Joe’s Produce: Bananas

19 cents for one conventional banana is half the point of going to Trader Joes. (Organic ones are a quarter each—still a steal.) You might think, a banana is a banana is a banana, so what’s so special about TJ’s bananas? It’s cheaper, and unlike bananas sold at other grocery stores, you can buy them by the unit—yes, you can walk out of the store with one banana—rather than pre-packaged bunches. ICYMI, we love bananas here at Simply Recipes, so we are fans are buying more than you’ll need to snack on, because overripe bananas mean banana bread.

Trader Joe's kale, cashew, basil pesto
Simply Recipes / Trader Joe’s

The Best Vegan or Vegetarian Product: Kale Cashew Pesto

Last year, writer Micah Siva shared her secret to easy weeknight dinners using this vegan pesto. She says, “When it first came out, I was skeptical. Did I really need more kale in my diet on top of the kale gnocchi, kale chips, kale salads, and kale smoothies? Well, of course! I can’t do without this stuff. It’s fresh, flavorful, and my secret ingredient to quick and easy weeknight dinners.”

Trader Joe's scented candles
Simply Recipes / Trader Joe’s

Favorite Non-Food Product: Scented Candles

If you fall in love with a fragrance, buy them in bulk and stock up. The scents are seasonal, so if you run out you’ll have to wait another year for it to hit the shelves again. I love the sweet smell of mango tangerine, but I did notice that the coconut-soy wax blend does melt quickly and the candle doesn’t burn as long as other brands.

This article originally appeared on the Simply Recipes website and was written by  MYO QUINN.

Ryan Tripp, Dayton’s Donut Entrepreneur

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Congrats Ryan Tripp…hard to believe that it was 5 years ago today that he purchased The Donut Haus Bakery from me after a 33 year Run.
For Ryan, it all started at age 14. I had spoken at a Career Day at Springboro Junior High. My talk was on how to properly fill out an Application, we did a mock interview with the kids and emphasized the importance of how to set yourself apart from your competition.
Ryan was hired within a week at age 14 and eventually became a Baker, Mgr. He stayed with me on a part time basis when he entered Wright State University full time and earned a Neuro Science Degree. Just out of college he was hired as a Gastroenterologist/ Diabetes Specialist from 2015- 2016. Kind of ironic right, being in the “sweets business” for many years.
After a year, he switched gears and approached me about starting his own Donut Shop. He opened Bear Creek Donuts/ Miamisburg a few short months later in April, 2016. That shop was successful as soon as he opened the doors.
In 2017, he was was interested in opening a second one. I said “where are we going now Ryan” He wanted a location in West Carrollton and I knew that market was underserved. Instead of going that way, we began talks of Ryan purchasing the D Haus and me hanging up my rolling pin. We put a Succession Plan together and on 1-16- 2018 he took over.
I could not be more proud of his accomplishments during these 5 years to bring fresh ideas, additional products, donut birthday cakes, tours and many things to keep his customers engaged. He started giving back right away to the communities he does business in.
During the past 2 years what really makes me proud of him…he became the mentor to 2 men that have opened their own donut shops.
One of his friends from HS, Clay Fillinger, a full time firefighter in Xenia approached him about his desire to start a shop there. For 6 months, Clay shadowed at the D Haus to learn the business and opened up Glazed Donut Eatery/ in Xenia in 2021.
Fast forward to October of 2021 and Ryan mentored a young man at the D Haus who also started there at age 14. Luke Lawrence then opened his own Shop in the W Carrollton/ Moraine area at age 19 that Ryan had talked about a site at one time. Hence, Hole N One Donuts was born and has also been successful and well received from these communities.
Ryan, Kudos to you and Emily and continued Best Wishes.

This post written by Mike Hemmert, the original owner of Springboro’s Donut Haus

13 Superstitions for Friday the 13th

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Today is Friday the 13th – many of us are going to be avoiding various breaks in concrete and moving out of any paths that may or may not be crossed by black felines. Although they observe superstitious customs regularly, most people have no idea how or where their favorite superstitions originated. So allow us to share:

  1. “Ringing a bell will drive away spirits”

Bell

Origin: Bells were actually used to signify the times of gathering and worship in many different religions. This goes for Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, Jewish, and Islamic tradition to be called to prayer multiple times a day. The superstition about them driving away evil actually came from pagan winter celebrations where the ringing of bells was believed to drive away negative energy and spirits. 

  1. “It’s bad luck to walk under a ladder”

Ladders

Origin: It’s all about symbolism with ladders. In medieval times, it was seen as bad luck because ladders symbolized the gallows where they hung people. In Egypt, a ladder leaning against a wall made a triangle, which symbolized a pyramid. If you walked under the ladder, the power of the sacred pyramid was broken, causing bad luck.

  1. “If a black cat crosses your path it is bad luck”

Cat

Origin: If a black cat crossed your path you would lose your connection with God and perish. Contrary to that, black cats were seen as both valued and good luck in ancient Egypt, England, and Ireland. (Note: due to this superstition, black cats are often surrendered to animal shelters and have difficulty finding homes. Give yourself some good karma if you’re thinking of adopting a furry friend and take one of these beauties home.)

  1. “Step on a crack and you’ll break your mother’s back”

Crack

Origin: This one has a few different meanings. In the early 20th century, the phrase was actually “step on a crack and make your baby black” – a racist sentiment. As for the belief about mothers, one part of the superstition was that the number of cracks would indicate the number of broken bones. It was also thought that cracks were a way to hell, and if you stepped on them you would release demons.

  1. “If you spill the salt you will have bad luck”

Salt

Origin: This superstition goes all the way back to ancient times when salt was used in many rituals and believed to harbor powerful magic. It is also connected to Christianity through DaVinci’s painting, “The Last Supper,” in which you can see Judas spilling the salt. This ties in to the tradition of throwing spilled salt over your left shoulder with your right hand because the “spirit” is believed to reside on the right side of God and the Devil resides on the left. Throwing the salt over your left shoulder is meant to keep the Devil in his place.

  1. “If your ears are burning someone is gossiping about you” or “If your ears are itching someone is talking about you”

Ear

Origin: The superstition of burning or itching ears traces back to Roman times when your body was thought to predict actions or events beyond your knowledge. Whether it was your left or right ear stems back to the belief of positive spirits residing on your right and negative spirits or demons residing on your left.

  1. Mirrors

Mirror

Origin: Mirrors hold a long history of superstition, tracing back to ancient times when any reflective surface was seen as a portal directly to the gods or the afterlife. To break such a precious commodity was seen as a bad omen and a harbinger of sure death. Or, if you did not cover mirrors after someone had passed, it was believed that their spirits could get stuck inside of the mirror.

  1. “It’s bad luck to open an umbrella indoors”

Umbrella

Origin: Going back to ancient Egypt, using an umbrella outside was to protect you from the powerful rays of the sun. If you opened your umbrella indoors, you would anger the Sun God and bad luck and despair would rain down on you.

  1. “If a ladybug lands on you, count the spots and that is how long you will have good luck”

Ladybug

Origin: Ladybugs have long been a symbol of good fortune. In the Middle Ages, if a ladybug landed on you it could symbolize protection, marriage for an unmarried woman, and even good luck for babies.

  1. “Knock on wood”

Knocker

Origin: This saying finds its roots in German folklore, where one would “knock on wood” to gain the protection of the mystical tree fairies or Dryads.

  1. Blowing out Birthday candles

Candles

Origin: In ancient Greece, candles on a cake were a tribute to the goddess Artemis. The cakes were round and the candles were placed in a circle. In Germany, candles on a cake signified the “light of life” and well-being of the person for the year to come. It was also thought that the smoke from the candles would carry your wishes to the gods.

  1. “Cross your fingers”

Fingers Crossed

Origin: This dates back to early Christianity. The cross has been a symbol of hope, strength, and unity, as well as a way to ward off evil from your spirit and home. Crossing your fingers began as a pact between two people; one would make a wish and the other would help solidify the wish by placing their index finger over the other person’s index finger.

  1. Fear of Friday the 13th: Triskaidekaphobia

13

Origin: The fear of Friday the 13th stems from the fear of the number 13. Throughout history, the number 13 has been connected with multiple negative events. Loki (although I love him in the Marvel movies) was the 13th God. Judas was the 13th to sit at the table at The Last Supper. Apollo 13 launched at 13:13:00 and on April 13th suffered an oxygen tank explosion but did return safely to earth afterward.

Happy Friday the 13th!

Visit Dayton’s Vegan Ice Cream Parlor

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Cerenity Miller began exploring vegan ice creams when her children were diagnosed with food allergies. Today, VeganMeltz is the region’s first fully plant-based ice cream parlor, located at 4636 Salem Ave in Trotwood.

Launch Dayton  recently caught up with Cerenity to learn more about her company and her entrepreneurial journey.

LAUNCH DAYTON: HOW DID YOUR COMPANY START?

Cerenity: My children were born with food allergies, so I transitioned our diets to being vegan. Whenever we would go to birthday parties, they couldn’t eat anything, so I decided to make ice cream for them. After that, it transpired into a whole business.

WHY THIS IDEA?

We could have gone to any vegan area — we didn’t have to do ice cream. I tasted a few vegan ice creams, and I wasn’t a fan of them. When I decided to make my own, I realized I could make so many different flavors. That’s when I chose to go with ice cream. There are places in Dayton that serve vegan options, but I haven’t seen a whole vegan ice cream parlor.

DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR?

Yes. I knew that I wanted to do this. I wanted to be a full-time entrepreneur by the time I was 30, and I’m 29. I made it just in time!

WHAT IDENTITIES DO YOU BRING TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP THAT HELPED PREPARE YOU FOR THIS LIFESTYLE?

I graduated from Wright State University with my bachelor’s degree in business marketing. That allowed me to wrap my mind around why marketing is important and who the target market is. I have friends and family members who have been entrepreneurs their entire lives. I’ve had that momentum going, so that went into knowing what I wanted to do.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST BARRIER YOU’VE FACED IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP?

Reaching my target niche market. Often, when people hear “vegan ice cream,” their first reaction is “ew!” I had to think about my experience with trying vegan ice creams to know where their minds were going. It was hard at first to know how to reach people who are lactose intolerant or have Celiac disease. Finding those people who think they can’t have ice cream and telling them they can was the hardest thing.

WHY DO YOU LOVE WHAT DO YOU?

I get to be as creative as I want to. I can come in everyday and make a new ice cream flavor if I wanted to. I’m always interested in taking my favorite desserts and seeing how they taste as ice cream. It’s so fun to think of new flavors and ways to create those flavors. It’s also fun to pull people out of their norm.

HOW DID YOU GET CONNECTED TO THE DAYTON BUSINESS COMMUNITY?

In May of 2020, I had my first pop-up event at Wright Dunbar Day. It was in the Wright Dunbar area at Tae Winston’s event. Before that I was doing deliveries. As I grew, I was able to do pop-ups, and that was my first time immersing myself into the Dayton business community.

ARE THERE ANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELPED YOU ON YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY?

There are so many pop-up events in Dayton that I have attended that I can’t name them all, but those helped so much. Dayton business accelerator programs. I’ve been in the Dayton Retail Lab; I’m in another accelerator program called Aventi Enterprises out of central Ohio. I have been involved the most with those.

HOW CAN THE LAUNCH DAYTON COMMUNITY SUPPORT YOU?

Visit the store! We are located at 4636 Salem Ave, Trotwood. Share my posts and stay up to date with our page. And recommend new flavors! I am always open to suggestions because my favorite flavors of ice cream aren’t everyone’s favorite flavors. We do Flavor-of-the-Week, so we can try the recommendations, and if they’re a fan favorite, we’ll put them on the permanent menu!

Connect with VeganMeltz online here.

This story originally appeared on Launch Dayton’s Website.

Launch Dayton is a collaborative effort to connect entrepreneurs to peers, resources, and supporters, and to tell the stories of our region’s thriving startup community.

Curious if the Downtown Dayton Retail Lab might be a fit for your business?
Learn more and apply here.

 

5 Can’t-Miss Arts Events in October

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We’ve heard it time and again from both Dayton residents and those visiting the region–Dayton has an absolutely amazing arts scene, rivaling many larger markets! Both the performing and visual arts are well represented, including Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, The Human Race Theatre Company, Dayton Ballet, Dayton Opera, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Dayton Art Institute and The Contemporary, to name just a few. In addition, Dayton Live, which manages the Schuster Center, Victoria Theatre, Metropolitan Arts Center and PNC Arts Annex, brings touring Broadway and a diverse variety of other performances to those venues.

The fall arts season is in full swing across the Dayton region, and we’ve compiled a short list of five “can’t-miss” events taking place over just the next couple of weeks!

1. Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra: Philharmonster

Date & Time: Sunday, October 23, 3 p.m.
Location: Schuster Center

This image shows two jack-o-lanterns with candles lit inside them.

Autumn wouldn’t be complete without a family trip downtown for PhilharMonster. This year’s Halloween-themed concert. Gasps, giggles, and costumes abound during this afternoon when everyone prepares for the hauntingly hilarious Halloween season. Before the concert, the Dayton Philharmonic will provide activities and treats in the Schuster Center Wintergarden.  Tickets are $26 and may be purchased here.

2. The Human Race Theatre Company: Deadline

Dates & Times: October 27–November 13, performances times vary
Location: The Loft Theatre

Promotional poster for the Human Race Theatre Company production of Deadline

The Human Race Theatre has a long tradition of premiering new works in Dayton, and their latest offering, Deadline, is a world premiere comedy thriller that is described as a bit of Clue, a bit of Knives Out, and a lot of fun! When playwrights Don and Mara are hired to finish a famous mystery writer’s last play following his mysterious death, they find themselves literally sucked into the play, trapped in the very world they are trying to complete, where solving the mystery becomes a matter of life and death. Tickets range from $10-$53; click here for more information about performance dates, times and tickets.

3. Dayton Art Institute: The Art of David Levinthal & Joe Fig

Dates & Times: Currently on view through January 15, 2023
Location: Dayton Art Institute
Museum Hours: Wed./Fri./Sat., 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Thurs., 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun., 12–5 p.m.

An artwork by Joe Fig that recreates Jackson Pollock's art studio in miniature.

The museum recently opened two new exhibitions, both of which are on view through January 15, 2023. American Myth & Memory: David Levinthal Photographs is a traveling exhibition organized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Using toys as his subjects, Levinthal looks at and recreates quintessential American subjects. Joe Fig: Other Artists is a DAI-exclusive exhibition presenting the painstakingly detailed miniature models of American author and artist Joe Fig, as he recreates the studios of famous artists such as Jackson Pollock and Barnett Newman. Museum general admission, which includes access to all exhibitions and the collection galleries, is $15 adults, $10 seniors, active military and groups, $5 college students and youth, free for children under 7 and museum members. Visit their website for more information.

Image: Joe Fig, Jackson Pollock 1951 (interior), 2002, mixed media. Courtesy Joe Fig and Dayton Art Institute.

4. Dayton Ballet: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Dates & Times: October 28 & 29, 7:30 p.m.; October 30, 2:30 p.m.
Location: Victoria Theatre

Promotional image for Dayton Ballet's production of Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Dayton Ballet–the second-oldest ballet company in the United States–celebrates its 85th anniversary this season. It kicks off that celebration in spooky fashion with a brand-new production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The haunting story of the Headless Horseman comes to life with all the characters of this familiar tale; Ichabod Crane, Brom Bones, and the full ensemble of Dayton Ballet take the stage to bring to life Artistic Director Karen Russo Burke’s fresh approach on the timeless classic. Composer Austin Jaquith provides a brand-new original score, performed live by musicians from the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra! Tickets range from $5 – $86 and may be purchased here.

5. Dayton Live: Supernatural Evening With Ghost Hunter Amy Bruni

Date & Time: Thursday, October 20, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Victoria Theatre

An image of Ghost Hunter Amy Bruni

Honestly, we could probably do a separate post of the top five can’t-miss Dayton Live events … they have so much happening in the coming weeks! But since it’s Spooky Season, we have to go with Life With The Afterlife: A Supernatural Evening With Ghost Hunter Amy Bruni. Paranormal investigator, author, podcaster and star of Kindred Spirits and Ghost Hunters, Bruni shares hair-raising tales from her countless hours hunting ghosts at America’s most haunted locations. By the end of the night, you will likely question everything you thought you knew about the spirit world, and life after death! Tickets range from $35 – $85 and can be found by clicking here.

Bonus Pick! Taking a quick look ahead to November, Dayton Live kicks off its 2022–2023 Premier Health Broadway in Dayton series with Pretty Woman, November 1–6 at the Schuster Center! Get a peek at the series here:

 

This is by no means a comprehensive list, so we encourage you to explore and seek out the many other arts happenings taking place through the end of 2022. Check out the Things to Do in Dayton section of the Dayton CVB website and sign up for their monthly email newsletter to learn more!

This blog post by Eric Brockman originally appeared on the Dayton CVB’s Website and we share it with permission.


For more information on things to do in Dayton, contact the Dayton Convention & Visitors Bureau at 937-226-8211 (Monday-Friday) or download the free Visit Dayton App from Google Play or the Apple Store. Be in the Know on All Things Dayton!

Unique Antique Shops in Miami County

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Let’s go antiquing through Miami County! Antiquing is an art form for many people and tells a story of times gone by. Around here, we are all about preserving the past while looking forward to the future.

Antiquing is a fun way to find new things, create new projects, and add a little character to your home. Many people spend hours crafting their antiquing strategies and mapping out the best plans, but we did the leg work for you! We rounded up a few of the most unique spots in Miami County for antiquing.

While all unique in their own right, some focus on preserving the historical meaning of the items while others are focused on giving the old things a new life and purpose.

Unique Antique Shops in Miami County, Ohio

The 3 Weird Sisters Studio

If you are looking for unique, chic art, and antiques, The 3 Weird Sisters Studio is for you! Centered in the heart of downtown Troy,  you can’t miss this unique spot!

Inside, you will find plenty of weird finds for unique minds. The shop features a collection of unusual trinkets, vintage items, handmade and local art, and clothing for men, women, and children.

This unique shop also features various reimagined home and garden decor. It’s a different experience every time you visit!

Location: 15 South Market Street | Troy, Ohio

Photo of The 3 Weird Sisters Studio - Troy, OH, United States

Midwest Memories Antiques

Midwest Memories Antiques is a vintage-inspired store, located in downtown Tipp City. With more than 100 dealers, this is the jackpot for design inspiration and unique finds!

The store offers a wide variety of furniture, collectibles, and locally crafted merchandise, such as apparel, home decor items, gifts, and more.

In addition to all the fantastic merchandise, visit the salvage area for reclaimed windows, doors, shutters, and hardware to add a little vintage flare to your home. Don’t forget to pick up your favorite shade of Annie Sloan Chalk paint to transform your project into your own.

If you are looking for guidance and inspiration, Midwest Memories Antiques also offers paint services, color mixing, and design assistance.

If you get thirsty during your shopping adventures, grab a refreshment from the in-store coffee bar.

Location: 24 W Main Street | Tipp City, Ohio

Patriot Antique Shoppe

Patriot Antique Shoppe is unlike any other antique shop in Miami County. This shop specializes in 18th and 19th-century American antiques, featuring portraits, quilts, trunks, and many other unique finds you won’t see anywhere else.

This shop is ideal for those who love preserving history and appreciating times gone-by. Aside from the usual antique items, you might also find farming and household tools, like a candle mold, burl bowl, or a tea cupboard.

Location: 15 N. 2nd Street | Tipp City, Ohio

Photo of Patriot Antique Shoppe - Tipp City, OH, United States. Exterior

The Mercantile

Filled with primitives and vintage finds, The Mercantile is a unique antique store located in Piqua, Ohio.

Here, you can find a mix of old and new items with a selection of home decor items, collector items, figurines, and so much more! The items in the shop have been sourced from local collectors, auctions, and area estate sales.

As the inventory is never the same, you might find treasures like Carnival and Fenton Glass, vintage mixing bowls, cast iron cooking pieces, repurposed lighting fixtures, and antique furniture.

Location: 415 N Main Street | Piqua, Ohio

Apple Tree Gallery

Specializing in vintage holiday decor, the Apple Tree Gallery is located in the heart of historic downtown Piqua. Year-round you will find antique items to fill your home with glad tidings of the Christmas season, or the spooky chills of Halloween!

If you want something special, this is the place for you!

Location: 405 N. Main St. | Piqua, Ohio

 

This post originally appeared on the Miami County Visitors & Convention Bureau blog.

Ashley’s Pastries -40 Years in Business: Recipe for Success

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40 Years in Business

Theresa and Greg Hammons

It really doesn’t seem possible that it’s been four decades since we opened the doors of our bakery shop on Park Avenue in Oakwood. Back then, when we got the keys and started to see things take shape, it was a dream finally come to life. Little did we know, the following 40 years would be the real dream: creating a thriving business in a community we love so dearly.

We are forever grateful for your continued support. Without you, none of this would be possible.

We took a little time away, as we always do every summer, to recharge and reconnect with our family. As some may know, a baker’s hours aren’t always the easiest, but we love what we do and we cherish being able to have a business that we love, and we are thankful to be able to take some time off each summer to spend uninterrupted time with those we love.

We’ve been asked before “What’s your secret?” “How do you do it?” There isn’t a magic ingredient, but we believe there are some common things that we believe are absolutely necessary in any recipe for success.

 

1. Loyalty. One of our favorite things about this business is our customers. Our customers come back year after year, celebration after celebration, holiday after holiday, choosing Ashley’s to help celebrate life deliciously. Customers here become family. We see them bring their kids in on a Saturday morning, often in pajamas, sometimes with messy bedheads, to pick out donuts. Those same families come back to Ashley’s again and again, and before we know it, we’re baking cakes for those same children as they reach life milestones like First Communion, graduation, and oftentimes, marriage. The loyalty of our customers has made this possible. The loyalty of our staff has made it possible, too. We are lucky to have employees that come to work here and stay here. They learn the routines and the recipes, and they stick with us through high times and low points. Our employees are dedicated, kind, loyal and they understand a key component of our bakery business – customer service. We want to make our customers happy – it’s what keeps them coming back – and this wouldn’t be possible without the loyalty of our employees, too.

2. Adaptability. A lot happens in 40 years. Trends come and go. The economy endures different cycles. Technology advances rapidly. And sometimes, pandemics hit. Being adaptable is crucial when you’re running a business, and you must be nimble as years pass. We’ve been able to adjust when necessary, especially during times like the COVID-19 pandemic. During unprecedented times, we knew we had to do things differently – we had to adjust. We started accepting Venmo and PayPal for seamless payments so folks could place orders over the phone, we offered curbside delivery so we could pass our pastries to customers with little contact, but still get them what they needed.

3. Relevant. Similar to being adaptable, we know how vital it is to stay relevant. In today’s fast, ultra-busy world, we know there is a lot of competition out there, not just competing for our time, but for our attention, our energy, our time. We know we have to stay relevant to stay open. We keep our customers’ needs at top of mind, so we are able to make adjustments to help meet their needs. Over the years, we’ve modified the offerings in our cases to meet the needs of customers. Today you’ll find a wide range of delicious sweet treats, breads, rolls, pastries – we have something for everyone – and we’ve added gluten free options to our menu to be more inclusive for customers with food sensitivities. We stay on top of bakery trends, especially in the wedding industry, so we can offer brides and grooms advice on what’s in, and to be able to offer what they need (A donut buffet instead of a classic cake? Absolutely! Towers of cupcakes instead of one towering cake? Sure!) By staying relevant to the needs of customers today, we’ve been able to serve customers for decades.

4. Community. It’s hard to build and maintain a business all by yourself. We are forever grateful for the Miami Valley community and their continued support of us. All of this wouldn’t be possible if we were going at it alone. We treasure the partnerships we have with local restaurants, businesses, schools and universities, and nonprofit organizations. We truly believe we are better together, and it’s an honor and a privilege for us to provide the pastries at annual fundraising events in town, or to know our rolls are served in the bread baskets at some of the finest restaurants in the Dayton area. We love being able to work with others in this great community, and we know how vital these relationships and partnerships are to our business.

5. Passion. Our passion for this business is one reason the doors at the bakery have remained open for 40 years. We absolutely love what we do. We love the basic mechanics of baking – following the recipes, kneading the dough, icing the cakes. We love the basics of business – networking with others in the community, brainstorming ideas, marketing and promoting our products. But what we love the most is you, our customers and friends who have become family to us over the years. You keep us coming back again and again. You inspire us to be creative in our baking. You make this enjoyable job even better. Our passion for Ashley’s Pastry Shop is really a passion for you.

This post originally appeared on Ashley’s Pastry website and was written by owner Theresa Hammon and is reprinted with her permission.

Ashley’s Pastry Shop

21 Park Ave,
Dayton, OH, 45419
(937) 293-1719
Tuesday – Friday 7am – 5pm
Saturday 7am – 4pm 

Yellow Spring Vegan Restaurant To Close

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“Four years ago, we bubbled with anticipation of what 134 Dayton Street would become. We had just signed our lease and we were crafting our name and fine-tuning our vision for The Greene Canteen. We have always been passionate about health & wellness and sustainability. We invested in our community and sought out local partnerships and collaborations which often put us in contact with other small business owners, artisans, farmers and interesting people in general.
Reflecting on these last four years, I’ve come to the realization that our lives have been much like those of farmers. A farmer clears land, plants seeds, nourishes the seeds, and if things go right, the farmer has a bountiful harvest. Additionally, farmers must also plan for unexpected situations and must troubleshoot challenges (drought, floods, infestations, etc.) every year. The moment the farmer plants a seed, there is no guarantee.
Our lives have felt much like that. We’ve built a beautiful space, made all the necessary upgrades to make the space function, crafted an evolving menu based off customers’ desires, and hired and trained a team. We planned for unexpected situations…what if it rains/snows so much that if affects foot traffic? What if the price of avocados triples? What if _________?
We never planned for a pandemic. Covid-19 has changed all of our lives and has changed the food industry forever. Since 2020, we have built and rebuilt this business a handful of times. We have hired & trained, hired & trained, hired & trained, etc. constantly. We have lost suppliers and faced shortages (where are we going to get our to go boxes? Where are we going to get our frozen berries? No more XL gloves? Avocados, again?). The costs have skyrocketed. Not just labor, but every single item. The costs of gloves quadrupled. On top of all that, add in the actual health threat of Covid-19. When numbers spike, that means more disruptions (more employees who cannot work due to illness and more customers are staying home). Now, multiply all of this by 2. We have two “farms” and our other “farm” in located 55 miles away.
After reflecting over a very long winter, we realized that this “new normal” is not sustainable for us. We were so busy focusing on the health & wellness of our businesses, employees and customers, that we neglected our own personal health (pretty ironic when you consider the intention of The Greene Canteen.). So, we’ve decided to change that.
We’ve decided to sell The Greene Canteen so we can focus on our personal health and happiness (and only tend to one “farm”). Local restauranteur, Miguel Espinosa has purchased The Greene Canteen. While his vision will be a little different, you will see some similar menu items and familiar faces; Miguel intends to keep all team members of The Greene Canteen.
The next couple of weeks are going to be busy; we’re trying to expand our hours and see as many friendly faces as possible before our final goodbye. Our last day of operation will be June 30th. If you have a chance, please stop in grab that last Dirty Banana or Spicy Chicky Sandwich. If you have gift cards, please make sure you use them before July 1st. Please check our social media for expanded hours as well as any retail sales.
If you don’t get to say your “goodbye”, don’t worry. You will see us bopping around town when we’re not at Brezel. In fact, you might see us out and about more often.
Thank you for all your support – without you, we wouldn’t be here today. Life takes you on some interesting paths. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
XO,
Brittany & Tim

Farmer Matthew Keener Starts A Nonprofit To Donate Beef To The Needy

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The rich, honeyed strains of Bach’s Mass in B minor greet visitors when they walk into his farmhouse in rural western Ohio. Along North Lutheran Church Road in Trotwood, beef cattle munch on the slowly emerging shoots of grass in early spring.

Welcome to the world of Matthew Keener, a former Wright State University music student who took a 10-year detour to ranch in northern Montana before returning to Ohio to raise cattle and now start a nonprofit organization to donate beef to the needy.

Funds from Keener’s nonprofit will be allocated to six different regions of Ohio and used to buy cows from local farmers, turn it into hamburger and donate it to food banks, church pantries and soup kitchens across the state. Ohio will be the test market, with a goal of eventually expanding to three or four other states.

The idea was born when Keener realized that several local golf courses had been decommissioned but the grass still needed to be cut. So he volunteered to mow the grass at the former Madden Golf Course in Dayton for free, turn it into hay to feed his cows and donate beef from some of the animals to food pantries, starting with The Foodbank of Dayton.

“Fresh meat is really an item that we don’t see a lot of,” said Lee Lauren Truesdale, chief development officer at The Foodbank. “Not only is this meat going to feed families in the area, but the program is going sustain farmers and their operations and what they do every day.”

Keener called the hunger problem “absolutely huge.”

“By changing the way we manage the grassland areas that aren’t being used, we can turn that into protein and feed people in the communities that definitely need it,” he said.

Keener’s farmhouse began as a log cabin built by his great grandfather in 1837 on 160 acres just northwest of Dayton. Keener grew up next to it and spent much of his waking hours there as a boy, mowing grass and maintaining the barns.

Matthew Keener, a farmer and former Wright State music student, has launched a nonprofit organization to donate beef to the hungry, starting with the Foodbank of Dayton. (Photos by Erin Pence)

His interest in music began at a young age. He sang in church choirs, an opera children’s chorus and later with the Dayton Bach Society.

His father, a graduate of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, taught music at New Lebanon schools and later at Wright State. Keener had his father as a music teacher all through high school and at Wright State.

The opera-singing, French horn-playing Keener currently sings in the choir at Concordia Lutheran Church in Oakwood.

Keener enrolled at Wright State to study music after graduating from Dixie High School in 1995. During that time, he would go to Montana in the summers to work on harvest crews.

“I absolutely fell in love with Montana and one year I didn’t come home,” he said. “I stayed in Montana for 10 years, working on cattle ranches and riding horses.”

Keener said the experience changed him drastically, teaching him to appreciate the solitude and the quiet. He later got rid of his television and rarely listens to the radio so he can concentrate on his own thoughts.

When he returned to Ohio, Keener decided to take over the family farm and start a beef cattle herd. It was tough sledding at first.

“For a long time, we didn’t know if we were going to make it,” he said.

Then Keener discovered Polyface Farm, which is run by Joel Salatin and his family in rural Swoope, Virginia, and is known for using unconventional methods to emotionally, economically and environmentally enhance agriculture. The methods include direct marketing of meats and produce to consumers, pastured poultry, grass-fed beef and a rotation method that creates an ecological system.

After Keener saw a video about Polyface, he had an “epiphanal moment” and jumped on board the farm-to-table movement.

“That is going to save this farm,” he recalled thinking. “I knew that was exactly what it was going to take. So we started rotating cattle. We took row crops out. We stopped using the chemical fertilizers. We started composting.”

Keener said people want to know where their food comes from and that it is raised in a good fashion.

“The consumer is now driving the ship in a different direction,” he said. “They are asking for a better-quality product from farming. It creates more opportunities for people to do what I’m doing.”

Keener supplies about 15 restaurants with meat, most of it wagyu beef, among the most sought-after meats in the world because of its buttery tenderness. And once a month, needy families can pick up discounted beef, pork and chicken from Kenner’s butcher shop in Dayton.

The 43-year-old Keener and his farm have been featured in a documentary film called “Farmers for America,” which highlights the nation’s younger farmers. It was produced by Graham Meriwether and narrated by Mike Rowe, known for his work on the Discovery Channel series “Dirty Jobs.”

Keener said his six years at Wright State combined with ranching in Montana have enabled him to bridge the gap between farmers and city dwellers.

“It allowed me to speak a different language,” he said. “You just have to learn how to navigate different fields.”

How Troni’s Found New Owners

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If you have visited Troni Brothers Pizza in Kettering, OH, then you know that with every visit you will enjoy a taste of Italy as well as customer service that has been handed down generations. They have built their businesses on Family, Community and Authentic food.

In early 2020 Labinot (Labi) Troni planned to open a pizza shop in Springboro OH. They decided to add a Point of Sale (POS) system to allow for easier order taking and creating an online ordering system for the pizza shop. Roma’s Pizza worked with Dave Keen the owner of Roxstar Payments. As we all are aware 2020 was a difficult year for many people and for small businesses everywhere. Roma’s had a difficult decision to make with Covid changing everything; do they give up or do they GO FOR IT! And as the strong team they are, they went for it!

During the set up and training period of the POS system, Labi Troni asked Dave to help on the first evening because they were very busy from the minute they opened the doors! Labi knew Dave could operate the POS system better than anyone since he is the one who set up the menu, he would know where every button was. Dave was answering phones, taking orders, checking people out and having fun! When the rush was over Labi asked Dave to return the next night to help. That relationship grew quickly along with mutual respect.

Dave worked side by side with the Roma’s Team and started to bring his son Riley with him to help out. Dave volunteered happily because he enjoyed the time at the restaurant, helping great people do what they love and meeting the customers who make it all possible. As he continued volunteering his time with the Troni’s, he developed deeply rooted relationships of family and friends. And as he helped the Troni’s other restaurants, their friends and family’s restaurants, he began to take the pizza business in as a whole. Dave, along with his wife Gina and son’s Dylan and Riley found a family extension with the Troni family.

Dave and Gina are Kettering natives. They met and graduated from Kettering Schools, so the sense of community is instilled in them. They later married and had two boys. Dylan is the oldest and on the Autism Spectrum. He has overcome many challenges in his life and is now married to Emily. Dylan has worked in the mobile phone industry for over 4 years and has built a reputation for customer service. Riley graduated in 2020 and had similar learning disabilities. He worked for Roma’s Pizza for a several months and then in late 2020 found a permanent home working at Labi’s brother Besnik’s restaurant, Troni’s Italian Restaurant on Dorothy Lane.

The more time Dave spent with Labi and the Troni’s, the more he understood the business and saw an opportunity for an outreach program. Dave spoke with Labi about his idea to create an environment for young adults with intellectual disabilities to be able to come to work and learn as Riley did. He presented the idea with safety first by using the right equipment all while still delivering the quality of food everyone expects.

As the last few years allowed Dave to grow stronger relationships with the Troni family, Labi’s uncle approached Dave to ask if he would consider buying Troni Brothers Pizza as Hisni (Junior) Troni was ready to start slowing down and maybe retire. Dave sat down with Junior and shared the idea he had a few years ago with Labi. Junior loved it! Junior always ran his restaurant as a place for family and community. They have volunteered for various events as well as provided the food for said events. The Troni Family gives back to the community twice a year by providing all First Responders, Military, Medical staff and Teachers with a FREE PIZZA DAY. For Junior to know that Dave would continue to impact the community as the Troni Family has, that made the decision easy for everyone. Dave has initiated and started working with Kettering Schools and their Special Education Department to put his vision in place knowing that the long term goal was to implement an outreach program.

Troni Brothers Pizza may change technology and faces over the years, but the quality in their history and flavors never will. In May 2022 Dave and Gina Keen are taking ownership of Troni Brothers Pizza. They are honored and proud to step into Juniors shoes, sauce drips and all. They plan on remodeling the dining area for a different dining environment and experience, but the recipes will never change. Gina, Dylan and Riley will run the day-to-day operations of the restaurant while Dave continues with the Merchant Services & Point of Sale business, helping out at the restaurant, and starting the Young Adult Outreach program with the community. 

Riley

The Keen family  hope you bring your family to meet their family, Dave, Gina, Dylan, Riley and Emily, where Family and Community always come first, and the authentic food will still be here for you.

Reprinted from Troni’s Brother’s Pizza website.

Troni Brothers Pizza

Family Owned and Operated

4654 Wilmington Pike
Kettering OH 45440

937-259-8877

Sleep in a tent on the Great Miami River!

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Guest blog by Deanna Bechtol, Miami County Visitor’s Bureau

Ready for an adventure that combines camping and floating on the Great Miami River? Look no further than Float Troy. It’s the only public floating tent experience in Ohio!

Float Troy is a series of floating tents anchored on the Great Miami River at Treasure Island Park. Guests sleep on the river inside of their own inflatable floating tent! This unique camping experience is perfect for those who want to take outdoor adventures to another level.

Troy, Ohio is an excellent destination for those who enjoy outdoor activities, but this is a unique experience altogether. Float Troy is the nation’s (and possibly the world’s) only public floating tent experience.

About the Experience

Before your imagination is carried away by thoughts of stray tents and daring rapids, Float Troy has employed several fail-safes to ensure your evening is a safe, memorable, and relaxing experience.

Your rental includes a raft to travel to and from the tent, oars, and life vests. While the space is tight, tents can accommodate two adults comfortably – or a maximum of four adults or two adults and two children.

Each tent has been securely tethered and anchored several times, so there’s no need to worry about floating away! Plus, the river levels are extremely shallow around the tents – only about 3 feet deep.

Be sure to pack lightly with plenty of sunscreen, water, bug spray, and flashlights. Guests should wear comfortable clothing and something they don’t mind getting wet or muddy.

Additionally, floating fire pits are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Guests can reserve an additional kayak or raft for exploring the area.

When you’re not hanging out in your tent or around the grill, explore the paved trails at Treasure Island and enjoy a brisk walk or a bike ride. Also located at Treasure Island, Smith’s Boathouse has a delightful menu of high-quality seafood, steak, and other seasonal options to satisfy those tastebuds.

With limited availability, tents rent from late June through early September. Visit the website for the most up-to-date information and rental availability.

The post The Float Troy Experience appeared first on Home Grown Great.   

 

Veterans Career and Resource Fair at Wright State

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Military veterans will have the opportunity to connect with employers and service organizations at the Vets Moving Forward event at Wright State University’s Student Union on Wednesday, May 18, from 3 to 7 p.m.

This is the fifth year in a row that Wright State will host the event, which is organized by the Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) and the Greater Miami Valley myVeteran Community.

For more information or to register, visit vetsmovingforward.org.

“Vets Moving Forward was designed by veterans, for veterans,” said Cassie Barlow, Ph.D., president of SOCHE and co-chair of the Greater Miami Valley myVeteran Community. “We want to share the extensive resources that this region has which are specifically for our veteran community and their families. Come join us for a great afternoon.”

Some of the services that will be available at Vets Moving Forward include:

  • Veterans resource fair
  • Veterans job fair
  • Disabled American Veterans assistance with disability claims
  • Dayton VA Medical Center enrollment
  • Montgomery County veteran ID cards

The event is not only for veterans but also for their family members and veterans service organizations in the region. About 100 veterans service organizations are expected to participate to connect and network with veterans.

The Dayton Regional Transit Authority and Greene CATS Public Transit will provide free bus rides for veterans to and from Wright State on May 18. Veterans should show identification, a DD 214, or pick up a token at the VA Medical Center.

The Miami Valley is one of 50 communities across the nation to be selected by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to create a MyVeteran Community Engagement Board. The Greater Miami Valley myVeteran Community was organized under the leadership of Barlow, a retired Air Force colonel and former wing commander at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and retired Lt. Col. John McCance in late 2015.

It enables veteran advocates, service providers, veterans and stakeholders to have a voice in identifying their community goals and work to resolve issues locally to improve service delivery for veterans, service members and their families.

This article originally appeared on the Wright State University News Room.

Dayton Barrel Work Brings Home Gold

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Dayton Barrel Work is excited to announce that three of our spirits won GOLD at the 2022 U.S. Open Whiskey and Spirits Competition. After nearly two years of producing some of Daytons’ finest spirits we are getting our reward.

Altschul’s Corn Whiskey

 

Originally based in Springfield O, and later based out of Dayton O, Altschul’s Distillery was renowned for two things: mail order shipping of their whiskey to most of the U.S., and the genius marketing mind of Small Sam Altschul. Small Sam believed in quality, service, and first-class treatment of their customers. The second offering in our Legacy Series, where we honor the brands and flavors of our past with this smooth 8-year-old Corn Whiskey.

Gypsy Queen Absinthe Blanche

During the mid-1800’s, Matilda Stanley and her tribe called Dayton home. Her wealth was accumulated via horse trading, fortune telling, and as a mesmerist. Upon her death, 20,000 people came from all over the country to pay tribute to their fallen Queen. Our colorful and worldly blend of botanicals deliver the essence and soul of this amazing spirit. Like the Gypsy Queen herself, it evokes the wonder, good fortunes, and the eternal wandering of the unknown.

Miami Valley Rye

A spirit and brand dormant for over a century. Once a point of pride for our region and a brand widely known all over the world, Miami Valley Rye Whiskey is a name no longer forgotten and destined to become an old dusty bottle sitting on a shelf. Distilled with 95 percent Rye content, this delicious Rye Whiskey is meticulously selected.

 

We hope that everyone will come out and join us in celebration on April 30 at our Spring Spirit Showcase, held at the distillery at 318 E.2nd Street in downtown Dayton. Tickets include samples from more than 50 spirits, commemorative rocks glass, live music, and more and are available on Eventbrite.

 

This guest post was written by Bill Hockett, Head Distiller for Dayton Barrel Work.

Samantha Shares Her Pasta Class Experience

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Oh boy. Where do I start? So I found out that Grist Provisions has started doing in house classes in their newly renovated extension and I hopped on that as quickly as possible to secure a spot in the Friday night session. Because if I want to learn how to make pasta, I couldn’t think of anyone better to teach!!
And teach they did. Patrick and crew made the experience very informative and enjoyable from start to finish and the meal that came out afterwards was absolutely amazing. We started with the hands on part of making pasta, he then guided us through the process of making the sauce – thoughtfully answering all questions and giving some great advice. We then spent time forming our pasta shapes and then sat to eat.
And I’m full. I woke up this morning with no appetite and a belly that needs patting from time to time, reminding it that it will recover and it had a great time. It’s like my tummy has a hangover!!
To start we had a chicory and winter citrus salad, then saffron malloreddus with a roasted apple and pork ragu. And the caramelized white chocolate panna cotta was pure heaven.
And what felt like a never ending supply of their focaccia which didn’t hurt anyones feelings at all. Attempts to remove the bowls of focaccia were thwarted by 12 snarling cats in human form.
We left with the pasta we made, a well thought out instructional on how to recreate the meal at home and extras of the focaccia. Yay!!
I believe they’ll be doing classes twice a month with the next ones in two weeks from now. And it was absolutely worth signing up for. I feel like I’ve got the confidence now to try my hand at making pasta and as soon as my food hangover has subsided, I’ll be able to cook up the pasta that I made last night.
Anyway, Grist never disappoints and they always have our love and support! Bravo to them for all they do.

This guest post was written by Samantha Hughes, owner and founder of  Riley Street Merchants.

Located in Kettering, Ohio, Riley Street Photography services the Dayton and Kettering areas. Specializing in vintage themed photography, fine art, fashion and product photography, message today for a custom package of photography services to best suit your needs.
Riley Street Market is an extension of this business with art, handcrafted wares, fashion and thoughtfully curated vintage offerings available at pop up shops and Etsy.

The Empty Politics of Stoli’s Name Change

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The makers of Stolichnaya vodka announced that it would no longer be called Stolichnaya vodka. Instead, the brand will be known as Stoli, making official the nickname consumers have been using for years, and changing the name from an actual Russian word (“Stolichnaya” translates roughly to “metropolitan”) to one that doesn’t mean anything.

In response to Russia’s war on Ukraine, a few bartenders have made a show of dumping Stoli vodka down the drain, in a supposed move of solidarity with Ukraine. There is also increased government opposition toward Russian-made products. Multiple states with state-run liquor stores have banned the sale of Russian spirits from the shelves, even though less than one percent of alcohol consumed in the U.S. is Russian-made. However, Stoli says of the name change, “The three driving factors behind the decision are the founder’s vehement position on the Putin regime; the Stoli employees determination to take action; and the desire to accurately represent Stoli’s roots in Latvia.”

Stoli says its original formula was created in 1938, though others say the vodka originated in 1901, connected to the Moscow State Wine warehouse. It was first imported into the U.S. in the 1970s, with production based in Latvia, a fact the company has tried to emphasize in the past few weeks. It’s also made a point of highlighting Spirits International group owner Yuri Shefler’s beef with Putin. “While I have been exiled from Russia since 2000 due to my opposition to Putin, I have remained proud of the Stolichnaya brand,” he said in a statement. “Today, we have made the decision to rebrand entirely as the name no longer represents our organization. More than anything, I wish for ‘Stoli’ to represent peace in Europe and solidarity with Ukraine.”

Shefler’s persecution is a result of a dispute over who has control over the Stoli trademark, Shefler or the Russian government. “In 2000, in one the first examples of the regime identifying a valuable asset and attempting to wrest control of it, Putin waged a battle for Stoli ® vodka trademarks across the world,” Stoli explains on its site. “This is still ongoing in some countries. Yuri Shefler left Russia in 2002 and has not returned since.” Stoli also said it would be ensuring none of its ingredients are sourced from Russia, and is donating to World Central Kitchen’s relief efforts in Ukraine. The company did not specify when customers could expect to see newly-branded bottles on the shelves.

This isn’t the first time Stoli has had to clarify its relationship with Russia in response to a backlash. In 2013, columnist Dan Savage called on bars to boycott Stoli vodka in response to Russia’s anti-gay laws, and said that it didn’t matter if Stoli was made in Latvia — its distributor is still Russian-owned. Spirits International’s then-CEO, Val Mendeleev, said at the time, “We fully support and endorse your objectives to fight against prejudice in Russia. In the past decade, SPI has been actively advocating in favor of freedom, tolerance, and openness in society, standing very passionately on the side of the LGBT community and will continue to support any effective initiative in that direction.”

By officially adopting a nickname, Stoli is attempting to further reject its Russian past, perhaps positioning itself to be a popular choice among people who base their politics around what they buy. It may also be a move to avoid harassment. Restaurants like the Russian Tea Room in New York and Texas’s Russian House have proactively distanced themselves from Russia, with Russian House going so far as to change its name, as businesses even the tiniest bit associated with Russia are facing threats and vandalism.

But will the few people already dumping out their bottles of Stoli stop now that it’s ditched the “-chnaya”? It’s hard to say. The spirit having been made in Latvia for decades didn’t stop them from doing so in the first place. What’s more, Russia is not synonymous with Putin, and anyone assuming a brand originating in that country automatically endorses everything its current leader does probably has a flimsy understanding of geopolitics at best. And honestly, does “Stoli” even sound less Russian?

The rebrand is a largely empty gesture, made to placate customers’ squeamishness around being associated with Russia (and possibly helping Stoli out in their trademark battle?) without actually requiring them to do anything. Buying or not buying Stoli was never going to affect Russia in the first place. It still won’t.

This article originally appeared on EATER on March 7th and was written by Jaya Saxena.

Explore the Ohio Buckeye Candy Trail

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The Ohio Buckeye Candy Trail was created by the Miami County Visitors & Convention Bureau, and covers thirty one candy and confection stores throughout the state. The trail meanders across the state, starting in the South-West of Ohio with Haute Chocolate in Cincinnati, and ending in the North-East with the Buckeye Chocolate Company in Chardon.

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Haute Chocolate

Located in the heart of Montgomery. They have been creating freestyle chocolate treats since 1979.

9424 Shelly Lane,  Cincinnati, OH 45242     513-793-9999

Haute buckeye candies

Tickled Sweet

Featuring artisan Chocolates, 30+ varieties of house-made fudge, delightful hand-crafted cookies and macaroons.

317 Main St,  Milford, OH 45150     513-880-4169

Tickled Sweet candies

Loveland Sweets 

Inspired by a love of fine chocolates and homemade confections, Gloria Wilson founded Loveland Sweets in 2006. Handcrafted chocolates and ice creams that feature premium ingredients are the hallmark of Loveland Sweets.

124 W. Loveland Ave,  Loveland, OH 45140     513-583-8305

Loveland Sweets buckeye candies

Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory 

At Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory, premium chocolates have been prepared by master candymakers since 1982. Their chocolate temptations will satisfy the most discriminating tastes.

120 S. Broadway Street, #1 Lebanon, OH 45036    513-932-1990

Golden Turtle buckeye candies

Holly B’s Sweets 

Located in the picturesque antique village of Waynesville, Holly B’s Sweets is a family-owned business that takes pride in creating delicious, quality handmade chocolates and fudge.

33 S. Main Street, Waynesville, OH 45068     513-897-2112

Holly B's Sweets

Friesinger’s Chocolates 

Friesinger’s is a family owned business which manufactures the finest quality nuts and candy in two facilities in Dayton and Springboro.

45 N. Pioneer Boulevard, Springboro, OH 45066    937-743-4377

Friesinger's Chocolates

Bellbrook Chocolate Shoppe 

Founded by Betty Blose in 1984, Bellbrook Chocolate Shoppe has maintained its reputation for its delicious blend of milk and dark chocolate combined with our handmade creams, nuts and other fillings.

101 E. Alex-Bell Rd., Suite 144, Centerville, OH 45459    937-436-5066

Esther Price 

As distinctive as Esther Price’s gold box, so is the taste of our chocolates. Esther Price Candies continues the tradition of old-fashioned quality using the same recipes that Esther Price herself perfected since 1926!

1709 Wayne Avenue, Dayton, OH 45410     800-782-0326

Esther Price

Winans Chocolates + Coffees 

Established in the early 1900s and located in the quaint, historic setting of downtown Piqua, Winans creates premium chocolates, handmade the same way for generations.

310 Spring Street, Piqua, OH 45356    937-773-1981

Winans buckeye candies

Marie’s Candies 

Marie’s Candies opened its doors in 1956, and its reputation for old-fashioned, high quality candies spread across the countryside.

311 Zanesfield Road, West Liberty, OH 43357     937-465-3061

Marie's buckeye candies

Jack-B’s 

Jack-B’s is at your service with home-cooked goodness-to-go including their Peanut Butter or Cookie Dough Buckeyes dipped in white or milk chocolate.

124 E. Sandusky Street, Findlay, OH 45840    567-294-4234

Jack-B's buckeye candies

Dietsch Bros Fine Chocolates & Ice Cream

In 1937, Dietsch Brothers began producing fine chocolates and ice cream using original family recipes and have been producing delicious, quality products ever since.

400 West Main Cross Street, Findlay, OH 45840     419-422-4474

Dietsch Bros

Stella Leona Artisan Chocolates 

Stella Leona artisan chocolates are locally handmade with the finest, freshest ingredients. Passion, love and history goes into everything they make.

362 Main Street, Pettisville, OH 43553     419-445-0370

Marsha’s Homemade Buckeyes 

For over 30 years Marsha’s has specialized in manufacturing Peanut Butter and Chocolate Candy Buckeyes. The Buckeye is the only candy that they make so their goal has always been to produce the perfect one.

25631 Ft. Meigs Road, Suite H, Perrysburg, OH 43551     419-872-7666

Marsha's Homemade Buckeyes

 

CoCo Beans Candy & Cupcakes 

Offering handmade chocolates, ice cream, milkshakes, cupcakes, gift baskets, favors and more, Coco Beans Candy & Cupcakes strives to make your life event sweeter.

116 South Front Street, Fremont, OH 43420     419-332-0420

Sweet Tooth Cottage 

Sweet Tooth Cottage is a family-owned bakery in Powell, Ohio. Everything they sell is made by hand and from scratch in their kitchen.

10221 Sawmill Parkway, Powell, OH 43065     614-361-6166

Sweet Tooth Cottage buckeye candies

Eagle Family Candy

Operating in the same location, with the original equipment and recipes, Eagle Family Candy takes pride in making quality, local, delicious chocolates.

4590 N. High Street, Columbus, OH 43214     614-262-2255

Eagle Family buckeye candies

Tremont Goodie Shop 

The Tremont Goodie Shop is a full-line, family-owned bakery nestled in Upper Arlington, Ohio. For over 60 years, they’ve hand-made their products from scratch and served their customers – who are more like friends – with a smile.

2116 Tremont Center, Upper Arlington, OH 43221     614-488-8777

Tremont Goodie Shop buckeye candies

Anthony Thomas 

Anthony Thomas is one of the largest family-owned and operated candy companies in the mid-west. They produce an average of 50,000 pounds of chocolates daily.

1777 Arlingate Lane, Columbus, OH 43228    877-226-3921Anthony Thomas buckeye candies

Chocolate Cafe 

Serving the area since 2007, at the Chocolate Cafe, you can order your hand-rolled buckeyes to go in an edible chocolate box.

1855 Northwest Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43212     614-485-2233

Chocolate Cafe

Pure Imagination Chocolatier 

Pure Imagination Chocolatier was founded by Master Chocolatier Daniel Cooper in 2001. It has been awarded the finest chocolate in Columbus since 2002.

1205 Grandview Ave., Grandview Heights, OH 43212     614-488-3070

Pure Imagination buckeye candies

Schmidt’s Fudge Haus 

At Schmidt’s Fudge Haus, they only offer the finest fudge and chocolates made with the finest ingredients. Their buckeyes will make you scream OH-IO!

220 E. Kossuth Street, Columbus, OH 43206    614-444-2222

Schmidt's Fudge Haus buckeye candies

Wittich’s Candy Shop 

Celebrating 178 years in business, Wittich’s Candy Shop is the nation’s oldest family owned and operated candy shop. Try one of their buckeyes in the Buckeye Blast Sundae: Smith’s Buckeye Blast ice cream topped with chocolate and peanut butter sauce, real whipped cream, and a Wittich buckeye.

Celebrating 178 years in business, Wittich’s Candy Shop is the nation’s oldest family owned and operated candy shop. Try one of their buckeyes in the Buckeye Blast Sundae: Smith’s Buckeye Blast ice cream topped with chocolate and peanut butter sauce, real whipped cream, and a Wittich buckeye.

117 W. High Street, Circleville, OH 43113     740-474-3313

Wittich's buckeye candies

Buckeye Creations 

Buckeye Creations offers the classic Ohio candy with a unique and creative twist of flavors. From Coconut to Smores, each one has their own personality and unique taste.

6962 Willow Bloom Drive, Canal Winchester, OH 43110     614-209-1617

Buckeye Creations buckeye candies

Candy Cottage 

The Candy Cottage is a locally owned confectionery and their legacy dates back to the 1960’s. They specialize in unique holiday treats, custom favors for any occasion, baskets, corporate gifts, chocolate boxes and more.

2271 W. Fair Avenue, Lancaster, OH 43130     740-653-6842

Candy Cottage buckeye candies

Goumas Candyland 

It’s always buckeye season at Goumas Candyland and people can’t get enough. Aside from using only the best ingredients, the secret lies in traditional recipes, passed down through the generations.

19 Claren Drive, Heath, OH 43056     740-345-7440

Goumas Candyland buckeye candies

Nothing But Chocolate 

Nothing But Chocolate is a chocolate business located in historic Cambridge, Ohio. Our most popular item is an Ohio tradition.  Each box of Buckeyes is made to order to ensure delicious fresh Buckeyes dipped for you.

731 Wheeling Avenue, Cambridge, OH 43725     740-439-5754

Nothing But Chocolate buckeye candies

Coblentz Chocolates 

Coblentz Chocolate Company began in 1987 and is nestled in Ohio’s Amish Country. They hold true to the local traditions of doing things the old-fashioned way. We use the freshest ingredients.

4917 State Route 515, Walnut Creek, OH 44687     800-338-9341

Coblentz Chocolates

Sweeties Chocolates at Grandpa’s Cheesebarn

With over 40 years in the business, they continue to welcome visitors from all over the globe to savor the experience of their sweet dream come true.

668 U.S. Highway 250 East, Ashland, OH 44085     419-281-3202

Sweeties Chocolates at Grandpa's Cheesebarn

Waggoner Chocolates 

At Waggoner Chocolates, they continue their timeless devotion to the worlds most distinguished chocolate connoisseurs by providing quality chocolates and confections that will be cherished for generations to come.

1281 S. Main Street, North Canton, OH 44720    330-433-1834

Waggoner Chocolates

Harry London Candies, Inc. 

For nearly a century, Fannie May Chocolates has been bringing their customers the finest gourmet chocolates, fudge, and candies that have kept them as a favorite traditional chocolate store.

5353 Lauby Road, North Canton, OH 44720     800-999-3629

Harry London buckeye candies

Hartville Chocolate Factory

You’ll take a step back in time when you visit the Hartville Chocolate Factory retail store located in historic downtown Hartville. Established in 1986, our confectionary shop offers an old-fashioned atomosphere, tempting guests with a full display of our chocolate creations, homemade fudge, caramels, marshmallows and more!

114 South Prospect Avenue, Hartville, OH 44632     330-877-1999

Hartville Chocolate Company buckeye candies

Honadle’s Fine Chocolates 

It is easy to take shortcuts, but at Honadle’s, they aren’t into that. they use only the freshest ingredients from local businesses, when possible. From coconut oil to freshly zested lemons, they always strive for exceeding your expectations.

1138 West Maple Street, Hartville, OH 44632     330-267-6033

Honadle's Fine Chocolates

Butter Maid Bakery 

Family owned and operated since 1955. They make old fashioned, handmade products in small batches.

100 Victoria Road, Boardman, OH 44512     844-688-7655

Butter Maid buckeye cake

Malley’s Chocolates

Now in the third generation of family business, Malley’s Chocolates is committed to offering quality confections made with the same special-recipe milk and dark chocolate they’ve earned their stellar reputation providing.

1685 Victoria Avenue, Lakewood, OH 44107     216-226-8300

Malley's buckeye candies

Campbell’s Sweets Factory 

The heritage at Campbell’s Sweets begins over four decades ago in the roots of candy making excellence. Campbell’s feels good about getting behind all of their products with the quality of ingredients they use!

2084 W. 25th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113     216-965-0451

Campbell's Sweets Factory

Buckeye Chocolate Company

In its second generation, the Buckeye Chocolate Company is devoted to providing customers with fresh and quality confections.

510 Water Street, Chardon, OH 44024    440-286-5282

Buckeye Chocolate Company assorted confections