Lisa Grigsby

The Dayton restaurant scene is forever changing. In 2024 we saw the opening of over 80 new eateries, but also saw the closing of over 30 dining locations.  Here are the restaurants that did not survive into the new year.

Watermark– Chef Maria Walusis closed down this Miamisburg eatery in January of 2024 and just a couple days later closed down Backwater Vodoo, that shared the patio.  Chef Maria is still doing private catering around town.  The building now houses SusiNero, which features Japanese and Spanish tapas.

Tudor Biscuit World- After five years at this location, the chain  posted a note closing on Jan 25th, directing their guests to patronize their Xenia location at 810 W. Second Street.  By March of this year, Chef Suwapat Whitted, who runs three Thai restaurants, opened Honey Toast opened in this spot.

Another Dayton staple shut its doors after 25 years, on Febrary 29th. The following note was posted on the doors of  Uno Pizzeria “We are proud to have served so many loyal guests and friends. We thank Dayton and the Arts community for all your support over the years. February 29th, 2024 was our last day to serve the public. Thank you for the great times.” The building is still vacant.

After 13 years at this location, Thurs, Feb 29th was last day of business at the Ludlow Street location for Halal Homestyle Chili & Bourbon Chicken. According to a post on Facebook by owner Kal El “they will be moving to a new location.”  Still no word on if that is still in the works.

In March of 2024 it was announced that Franco’s Ristorante Italiano in Dayton, Ohio had been sold to the owner Jimmy’s Italian Restaurant in Kettering to open second location.

Time4Noodle at 4622 Brandt Pike in Huber Heights closed its doors after business on March 30, according to sign posted at the restaurant. Windy Nawa, the owner said after seven years of services she was tired and it was time to sell. She trained and sold the business to new owners and just a couple weeks later Somthob Junpan and his wife, Wachiraporn Pooeuhan,  opened Time4Thai in that space.

The Gourmet Deli at Top of the Market closed for Spring Break on March 23rd for a week, and then made the decision to permanently close the business.  The Top of the Market facility is still available  host groups of 15-500 in the Bistro, Loft or Warehouse space and is for sale.

The Frisch’s Big Boy at 1231 N. Fairfield Road in Beavercreek is “permanently closed,” according to a sign posted at the restaurant in early April. Four Tri-State Frisch’s restaurants also closed that week.

After opening on Brown Street in November of 2022, the Columbus based Wizard of Za said“We gave it our best. We really did,” according to the sign posted on their door when they read closed in May

West Carrollton’s Sonic Drive shut down for good on May 24th and quickly removed signs from the drive-in stalls, menu board and drive-thru window.  Accorrding to the city,  Dunkin’ is set to move into the now vacant store lot, the opening date has yet to be announced.

On June 12 Don Patron Fairborn, across the street from Wright State University closed down this location after eight years of business, encouraging guest to visit their Xenia location at 175 Hospitality Drive.  The space was taken over by  Chai Corner, which should be opening very soon.

After 11 years of being open, the Springfield Roosters at 1720 N. Bechtle Ave permanently closed Monday, July 1st. The restaurant had been removed from the Roosters website, and a phone message outlined the closing.

A note was taped to the door said, “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of this Roosters Springfield location,” a Roosters statement from franchisee We Be Wings LLC said. “We want to express our gratitude to the community for their continued support and patronage.”

The Mayfair Hospitality group of Winston-Salem, N.C. opened Est Est Est in the Dayton Arcade in July of 2023 and by July of 2024 it had closed. Now empty for long Table 33, who had secured their own spot at the Arcade chose to instead move into this spot  opening this past November.

On July 23rd Ghostlight Midtown, owner Shane Anderson  shared, “It is with a very heavy heart, but one full of memories, that it is time for us to say goodbye to Ghostlight Midtown at 800 S. Patterson. Thank you Dayton for your support of this location over the past five (almost) years.”  By Sept Greg Innocent, Chris Cheng and Taylor Moberly announded they’d be opening miDDay, “a new cafe with coffee with  elevated American cuisine.”

On August 4th the Subway on West Main Street in Xenia closed its doors for the final time. Ta’Quiyo Tortilleria & Taco Shop in Miamisburg  called it quits on Aug 25th

Flyboy’s Deli closed the Oakwood Location in April of 2024, after being open for 11 years.  They had closed the downtown Dayton location across from Day Air Ballpark in Aug of 2023 after owners  Unice Kim and  her husband, Steve Crandall both faced major health issues.

On September 7th  the Moeller Brew Barn announced their closing.
Clancy’s Tavern on Burkhardt used Facebook to post their closing announcement: “This decision, though bittersweet, is made with a heart full of gratitude for the friendships we have made over the years,” sharing “It has been a privilege to serve this community for 41 years.”

Much anticipation greeted the opening of Taco John’s on Wilmington Pike in January of 2024, but by Sept the doors were locked and a sign was posted saying “closed for rebranding.”  No new info has been made available. Troy’s Rapid Fire Pizza placed a“permanently closed” sign on its door in September and Troni Brothers Bella Bistro announced they would be opening in that space and just posted on their Facebook page staff training has begun. September was also the closing month for Wright Dunbar’s  Juicing Jammers.

La Perla Tapatia Mexican Restaurant quietly shut it’s doors this past fall.  In October, Yellow Springs Calypso Grill and Smokehouse owners announced its closing but shared they’d be changing it to the Yellow Springs Smokehouse which made it’s debut with some pop up events before actually opening their doors in November. The Frisch’s on Bechtel in Springfield shut down on October 26th.

Troni’s Pizza and Pasta located in the Stratacache Tower downtown opened in July, yet by the end of October the lack of traffic forced them to close their doors. Dayton’s only Pita Pit franchise, located on Brown Street was put up for sale, but not finding a buyer closed down on November 1st. The last TGIFriday‘s in the area closed down its Beavercreek location just two weeks after the chain filed bankruptcy.

Frisch’s Big Boy

The Kettering location on Wilmington Pike and the Englewood location on South Main Street of Frisch’s both closed on Saturday, Nov. 30. Middletown, Franklin, Huber Heights, Maimi Township and Englewood have subsequently closed as well all having to due with nonpayment of rent. Over 65 of the units were said to have owed them more than $4.5 million in back rent.

On Dec 5th Wendy’s franchises by The Greene and Dayton Mall both closed for good.  Al’s Pizza in Troy claimed ongoing road construction killed their business and closed on Dec 21st.

Downtown’s Moeller Brew Barn announced its closing for Dec 22nd, the same day Austin Landing’s Taste of Belgium also closed. Another closing downtown when the Red Star bar shut its doors on Dec 27th. The Dayton BBQ Company that had been located at Hidden Valley Orchard announced December 28th as their last day at the location, but teased to stay tune for more information soon.