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Buckeye Wedding Expo and Bridal Show Returns to Dayton Arcade

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Mark your calendars for a celebration of all things wedding as the Buckeye Wedding Expo and Bridal Show returns to downtown **Dayton’**s iconic Dayton Arcade on Saturday, February 21 and Sunday, February 22, 2026.

This isn’t your average vendor fair. The expo blends inspiration, education, entertainment, and yes — a little bit of sparkle— into one interactive experience designed to help couples plan the big day with confidence and joy.

What’s in Store

From 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm both days, engaged couples and their entourages can wander through the beautifully restored Rotunda where more than 50 local wedding pros will be on hand showcasing their offerings — from florals and photographers to venues and caterers.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

👗 Bridal Fashion Show
Catch the latest trends and breathtaking looks on the main stage as local boutiques show off stunning bridal and formalwear.

🍰 Tastings & Samples
Sample gourmet catering bites, signature cocktails, artisan cakes, and more while talking shop with the experts who can bring your vision to life.

🎉 Decor Resale & Interactive Fun
Browse a vendor–curated decor resale area for great finds, step into photo and 360 booths, and explore entertainment options for your ceremony or cocktail hour.

💡 Real Talk + Real Inspiration
This show is as educational as it is fun — expect inspiration galleries, trend showcases, and face-to-face conversations that can help clarify everything from aesthetics to logistics.

Why Go?

Whether you’ve just said yes or are deep in the planning process, the Buckeye Wedding Expo makes it easy to meet vendors, compare ideas, and gather inspiration, all in one stunning historic venue.

Admission: Tickets are $10, and children 12 and under attend free when accompanied by an adult.

When & Where

“STARTUP THE BLOCK” Thursday at the Arcade

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Friends of the Dayton Arcade, Launch Dayton, and the Entrepreneurs’ Center are excited to announce the launch of a vibrant new vendor market and block party aimed at promoting local entrepreneurship and celebrating community spirit.

“Startup The Block” will take place on Thursday, September 12, 2024 from 3:00 – 8:00 PM in the Arcade’s Rotunda Building as well as outside on Fourth Street and Pretzinger Lane. This event will serve as the culminating event for Startup Week, Dayton’s top gathering for new and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Event Highlights:

  • Vendor Market: Featuring over 30 local vendors offering a diverse range of products, from handmade crafts and artisanal goods to delicious food and beverages, this market will focus on startup entrepreneurs showcasing their businesses and connecting with new customers.
  • Block Party: The closure of Fourth Street between Main and Ludlow Streets will allow for additional outside vendors and food trucks as well as a live DJ and beer truck.
  • Live Music & Entertainment: Enjoy performances by local musicians and entertainers curated by Culture Works. The lively atmosphere will be perfect for families and individuals of all ages!
  • Fourth Street Partners: The Arcade’s neighbors, developers The Windsor Companies, will have The Deneau at 40 W. Fourth Street open with additional touring and programming opportunities. The Levitt Pavilion will be rocking at 7:00 PM with a great set of performances.
  • Community Engagement: Attendees will be able to meet and mingle with community members, network with fellow entrepreneurs, and browse community partner tables to learn about local resources.








Table 33 to Open In Former Est! Est! Est! Space at Arcade


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In October of 2022 Table 33 announced they would be building out a new space on the first floor of the Arcade.   But according to owner Charlie Carroll, those plans changed and yesterday he inked a deal with Cross Street Partners to take over the Est! Est! Est! space.








Space Table 33 is set to open at the Arcade in early fall 2024. With a dedication to local dishes and a community-centered environment, Table 33 aims to captivate diners with innovative dishes, a welcoming ambiance, and impeccable service.  Dinner service will be from 4-9pm and the restaurant will be open 7 days a week.


The restaurant’s interior will undergo a transformation that will enhance the Table 33 brand and create a setting that invites guests to linger and savor each moment.  Table service will be back and you can expect table cloths and linen napkins when they open. Table 33 plans to retain its current breakfast and lunch menu that showcases a blend of local flavors and inspirations with high-caliber options.








Charlie Carroll


“We could not be more excited about the future as Table 33 will be a part of our city’s history in the revitalization of the Arcade. This is an opportunity our parents and grandparents dreamed about, and we are honored to be a part of it”, said Charlie Carroll.  With a refreshed management team, and a new Chef from Columbus who is “Michelin Star trained” and has a lot of international experience, that they expect to be able to present a menu that is more focused on their original farm to table concept.  Their sous chef is vegan and will help them offer new options.


 














Arcade Awarded $13.9 Million Tax Credit


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The team behind the Dayton Arcade is thrilled to announce that the team has been awarded a $13.9 million tax credit from Ohio’s Transformational Mixed-Use Development (TMUD) Program for the Dayton Arcade District project, helping to further catalyze the on-going revitalization of downtown Dayton within the Arcade District.


rooftop view of the DaytonArcade
courtesy of Tom Gilliam Photography


The Arcade District Development represents over $200 Million of investment in what was originally 10 historic buildings, spanning two city blocks and over 810,000 SF in the City of Dayton’s central business district. The first phase of the development, South Arcade Phase 1, commenced construction in April 2019 with the first tenancy in early 2021. In seeing the overall vision of the Arcade District, and touring the completed first phase, Bruce Katz, the widely acclaimed urban expert, declared the Arcade as “the most transformative project in America”.


This TMUD award is critical to completing the next $139.8 Million portion of the Arcade District Development, which encompasses the following phases:


• South Arcade Phase 2: This $12.2 Million phase will complete the overall 265,000 GSF South Arcade development including the expansion of the Arcade Innovation Hub, 6888 Kitchen Incubator, Artist Resource Center, and space for multiple restaurants.

• North Arcade: This $23.3 Million 108,000 GSF phase to complete the 94-bed Hilton Garden Inn, pop- up retail, and neighboring Stop-N-Save Grocery.


• Centre City Building: This $91.9 million 283,000 GSF phase including 200 mixed-income apartments, and up to 53,000 square feet of commercial retail and office. In addition to preserving and enhancing a key, architecturally significant landmark in Dayton’s urban core, this project will provide additional quality commercial space and rental housing in the Downtown neighborhood, bringing residents back to this community.


• Air City Garage: This $12.4 million 156,000 GSF phase to provide 380 parking spaces and additional street-level commercial spaces within the district.


“This award is a unique funding opportunity that is geared towards large transformational projects in Ohio. Since its inception, it has only ever been awarded to projects in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland,” said Taylor Vogt, developer with Arcade District partner Model Group. “TMUD was a critical component of the




















 








Dayton Arcade Secures $41 Million To Fund Next Step


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Dayton Arcade’s giant is one step closer to being fully awoken once more.


The development team behind the historic Dayton Arcade has secured the necessary funding for the $41M renovation of the North Arcade’s Third Street Arcade and Gibbons Annex, the final two buildings in the Arcade’s nine-building complex.


The Arcade’s Third Street and Gibbons Annex Buildings were built in 1902 as part of the original Arcade development. The historic Third Street Building façade, designed by Frank Mills Andrews in the Flemish guildhall style, is one of the most recognizable buildings in the city of Dayton. Retail was shuttered in 1990 with the rest of the development.




Long seen as the last piece of the Dayton Arcade puzzle, completion of this second phase will allow the Arcade to serve as the retail hub and pedestrian connector in the center of downtown Dayton once again. The upper floors will be home to a 94-room Hilton Garden Inn with a lobby entrance from Third Street.














Danny Nagar of Century Hotel Group says “It has been a privilege to partner with Mira Development Company, Model Group, and Cross Street Partners in the redevelopment of the NorthArcade. By adding hotel rooms to the Arcade complex, we hope to invite locals and tourists to experience the strong food and entertainment scene that continues to grow here. This felt like a great opportunity to preserve and revitalize an iconic area and remove some of the roadblocks that have previously reduced travel to Downtown Dayton. We’re honored to be involved in this project and look forward to the impact that this will have on the local community and the guests that we’re eager to host.”
















The first floor of the Third Street Building will house the Arcade’s retail marketplace, with 7,500 sf of small business retail space. Under the North Arcade’s iconic skylight will be small spaces for around 15 local and unique retail opportunities.




“We are very excited about this phase of the project, but it would not have happened without the unwavering commitment of the hotel team of Century Hotel Group and Mira Development,” says Dave Williams, Vice President of Development for Cross Street Partners.


“These projects don’t happen without strong leadership and support and that has continued from both the City, County, CityWide Development, and the Port Authority. The State and Federal Historic and New Market tax credits along with the Ohio Department of Development grant programs were critical sources in completing the North Arcade’s capital stack. It is a great finish to an amazing project and will be catalytic for the Main Street corridor, as well as providing much needed support for the Convention Center.”


The Arcade is a vital component for the reactivation of Courthouse Square and the revitalization of downtown Dayton’s central business district. Construction on the North Arcade has already commenced with anticipated completion of late Q2/Q3 2024.








Italian Restaurant Coming To Arcade


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A fresh new concept featuring an Italian chef is set to open at the historic Dayton Arcade.




Est! Est!! Est!!! will open at 45 W. Fourth Street in the Arcade’s Commercial and Fourth Street Buildings. At the corner of Fourth and Ludlow Streets, this location will be an extension of Mayfair Hospitality’s flagship restaurant in downtown Winston-Salem, North Carolina that has been in operation since early 2022.










Est! Est!! Est!!! will be led by Chef Simone Conosciani of Rome, Italy. “Being Italian, it has been a life-long dream of mine to bring authentic Italian cuisine to the United States. Living in the United States has given me nothing but further inspiration for all types of cuisine from around the world. The pure expression of culture through food, in my opinion, is magical”, said Chef Conosciani.




Construction on Est! Est!! Est!!!’s 5,520 sf space at the Dayton Arcade is set to begin in the next few weeks, with an anticipated opening date of spring 2023. Est! Est!! Est!!! joins a growing list of food-based businesses to open in the Dayton Arcade, including Gather by Ghostlight, Table 33, and the 6888 Kitchen.














 


























 








“After the Levitt” concerts continue at the Arcade’s new event space – The Tank!


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The “After the Levitt” event series is a live musical experience in the Arcade, which is the hottest and most coveted space in downtown Dayton. Under the Arcade’s famous Rotunda is a newly opened underground event space, called The Tank, inspired by CenterPoint Energy. It’s a vibrant venue that provides a cool, theater-in-the-round style seating for an intimate audience experience. 


After a few select Levitt Pavilion shows this summer, The Tank opens its doors for this “After the Levitt” live music series which features up-and-coming original musicians. For music fans who want to keep the music going, the Tank’s entrance is just a half block from Levitt Pavilion. It’s an easy walk over! Just look for the Large glass subway entrance on West 4th street in Dayton between Main and Ludlow Streets. 


The series, which is hosted by Culture Works, kicked off on June 23rd with an evening of female R&B/hip-hop style singer/songwriters Anna Nichole and Mariah J. The concerts continue Thursday, July 14th with the funk-rock band Solistic. This crowd pleaser has hints of blues, reggae, and psychedelic rock influences too! The cover charge is $10 and is open to patrons over 18. Doors open at 8pm. The music starts at 8:30pm. Beverages are available for purchase at the venue.




“As the leading Arts advocate in Dayton, Culture Works aims to use the After the Levitt series as a way of activating the Arcade, and more specifically, the Tank. We want to bring cultural vibrancy back into Dayton through a space that is both new and nostalgic, memorable, and magical. Having local artists in the Tank will bring crowds together and elevate the creative arts from an individual to collective experience!” Benjamin Baugham, the Community Engagement Coordinator of Culture Works, shared with us. 




The series will continue on July 28th with a night of reggae from Luv Locz, August 4th featuring spoken word from Broken English, August 11th is a country music evening with Drift Mouth, August 25th pop rock from Pagu & Isicile,  with more dates to be announced soon!


HOW TO GO?


The Tank under the Arcade (glass cube entrance near 35 W 4th St, Dayton, OH 45402)


$10 cover charge at the door


Ages 18+


Doors 8pm


Music 8:30pm


Drinks for Sale!


Tickets Now On Sale For The Art Auction at The Co


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The Contemporary Dayton’s  27th Annual Art Auction, to be held onFriday, June 25, 2021 will be the first ticketed event to take place in the newly restored Rotunda in the historic Dayton Arcade. Guests will be greeted with a complimentary drink, have a designated seating area with a plate of nibbles for the table provided by Bernstein’s Catering, and two cash bars will be available. WDPR’s Shaun Yu will serve as the master of ceremonies, and auctioneer Doug Sorrell will host the always exciting


live auction. Dessert will be served in the The Co’s new galleries, which will also host a dance reception.








featuring the work of Dayton-area and nationally-known artists, delicious food and drink, music and friends, as well as MC Shaun Yu of WDPR and Auctioneer Doug Sorrell. The action-packed evening will be limited to 125 guests who may designate their seating preference to groups of 6, 4, 2, or individually, to ensure each ticket-buyer’s preference for safety and comfort.




General Admission Tickets for the LIVE Event are $75 for members and $90 for non-members for the event which will begin with a receptions at 6:30pm, program & auctions starts at 7:30pm.  CLICK HERE to get tickets.






The artists whose work will be up for bid are some of Dayton’s most notable including Zachary Armstrong, Willis “Bing” Davis, Katherine Kadish, Evelyn Mahrt, Mychaelyn Michalec, Richard Malogorski, and Bruce Soifer. Additionally, The Co’s new curator, Michael Goodson, has added an impressive list of work from nationally-renowned artists including Ann Hamilton, Ohio resident and celebrated “sensory” and fabric installation artist; Donald Moffett, New York AIDS-era activist, designer, and celebrated painter; Carrie Moyer, New York artist and Whitney Biennial Alum, best known for her vividly-colored and textured abstract paintings; American photojournalist/photo-anthropologist, Bill Owens, whose 1973 book Suburbia is considered one of the seminal photobooks of the 20st century and features, in newer editions, a forward essay by filmmaker Sofia Coppola; Detroit-based artist Beverly Fishman who creates powerful abstract paintings that address technology and the pharmaceutical industry; and Brooklyn painter, Fred Tomaselli, who is represented by one of his infamous silkscreens in which he colorfully reimagines the events of Hurricane Katrina on the front page of The New York Times. Each of these works will be accompanied by a monographic book signed by each artist.


Willis Bing Davis, Ancestral Spirit Dance #588, 2018, oil pastel, 40 x 32 in. Image: John Sousa


Simultaneously, The Co will present an Online Auction beginning on June 23 through June 27, 2021 with over 60 works of art that represent a curated selection of the most accomplished and compelling artists in the area, as well as a selection of virtual and in-person art encounters. Virtual art encounter packages include a Guided Watercolor Painting Lesson; Wine Tasting with Argentinian and Tuscan Selections; a Q&A with the elite of Broadway’s theatrical professionals; a Coaching-Vocal-Choreography Session; and a Grandmaster Chess Lesson. In-person packages include Glassblowing with Jim DeLange; a Custom Mural by Mural Machine; and Exclusive Columbus and Cincinnati Art Tour with The Co’s Curator. Viewing and bidding on artwork and experiences is available at no cost, but you must register to bid.


Katherine Kadish, Falling Flowers 16, 2012, wax monotype, 41 x 33 in. Image: John Sousa


Additionally, The Co will offer a Grand Prize Raffle for the chance to win the opportunity to host the first Cocktail Party in The Co’s New Galleries for up to 25 guests and includes select wines, craft beers, light bites, and music. Grand Prize Raffle Tickets are available now at The Co’s downtown location or at thecontemporarydayton.org and are $25 each or 5 for $100.




Culture Works to Manage Dayton Arcade Events


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Culture Works has signed a multi-year agreement with Cross Street Partners to provide event management services for the Dayton Arcade.


“When we launched our rebranding efforts in 2018, we made the definitive statement that Culture Works sits at the intersection of culture and community,” said Lisa Hanson, Executive Director for Culture Works. “We believe that the Dayton Arcade will be the physical representation of that ideal. This partnership will give us the ability to fuse local arts and culture into the daily operations of one of the most innovative working spaces in the country, and it will bring additional funding to our arts organizations and cultural institutions.”




When the South Arcade opens to the public in 2021, it will feature two unique event spaces – the Rotunda, which can accommodate seated groups of more than 700, and the Tank, a unique theater in the round underneath the Rotunda which can comfortably hold gatherings of 150 or more. Culture Works, as the Dayton Region’s local arts agency and united arts fund, represents more than 180 organizations throughout an eight-county service area and is uniquely positioned to activate these spaces with performances, exhibitions, and events utilizing local talent.


 


“From the beginning, we’ve always envisioned the arts as being a part of the activity inside the Arcade,” said Dave Williams, Senior Development Director for Cross Street Partners. “So, when we started having conversations with Culture Works about their move into the facility, it naturally led to this agreement to maximize the potential for the space.”


Kevin Tunstall


Both the Rotunda and the Tank will be available to rent for private events. Cross Street Partners has already received dozens of calls from individuals and organizations looking to utilize the South Arcade for a variety of events—from weddings to large fundraisers. By engaging a nonprofit organization like Culture Works into the event management process, proceeds from these rentals will be used to create a new revenue stream that will provide additional funding opportunities for local arts organizations.


Individuals and organizations interested in touring and renting event space at the South Arcade should contact Kevin Tunstall, Events Director for Culture Works, at 937.222.2445 or send an email to [email protected].


Crafted & Cured Will Reopen in the Dayton Arcade


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Crafted & Cured has signed a 10-year lease at the historic Dayton Arcade to be a first-floor anchor tenant at 45 W. Fourth Street, Dayton, OH 45402. The lease is signed, demolition has started for construction, and Crafted & Cured is projected to open the beginning of 2021.


“We look forward to expanding our vision at the Dayton Arcade,” co-owner Christian Alvarez says. Crafted & Cured plans to build out 4,800 square feet with expanded offerings. Crafted & Cured’s mission is to serve the community with a full-service retail shop of craft beer, boutique wines, champagnes, cured meats and artisanal cheeses.


Photo Credit: Tom Gilliam




“We’ve always strived to provide a service that’s unique and memorable in a setting that pays tribute to our history,” co-owner Andy Routson explains. After announcing earlier this week the closure of their first location at the historic Deitz Block, Crafted & Cured is excited to continue their vision at the Dayton Arcade. “We believe the Dayton Arcade represents a celebration of entrepreneurship and artisanal food and beverage purveyors throughout Dayton’s history”.




Cross Street Partners, Model Group, and McCormack Baron Salazar are redeveloping the historic Dayton Arcade, a collection of nine buildings totaling over 500,000 square feet in the heart of downtown Dayton’s central business district. The full development plan will recast the Arcade in much the same way it was initially developed in the first decade of the 20th century—with a mix of retail, offices, event space and housing.


The first phase of the project, the South Arcade, will consist of an innovation center with the University of Dayton as a higher education partner in addition to a 110-unit residential LIHTC and market rate development for artists and creative entrepreneurs.


For construction and opening updates, follow Crafted & Cured and the Dayton Arcade on Instagram and Facebook.










Family Friendly Arcade Opens in Mike’s Bike Park


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Located on the southside of Mike’s Indoor Bike Park building on Crane Street, New Challenger, a family friendly Arcade is now open.“As a lifelong fan of classic gaming, opening an arcade has long been a dream of mine,” Matt Payne, owner at New Challenger said. “When I found out about the space available in Mike’s (Bisig, owner of Mike’s Bike Park) building, I figured this was the best opportunity I could ever hope to get.”












Matt Payne has most recently started an arcade club at Kettering Middle School where he teaches. Building from that, the focus for New Challenger will be on a family friendly atmosphere for riders and their friends to come and enjoy during Bike Park hours.




“It’s the classic arcade model,” Payne said. “But Mike’s definitely bringing something new and exciting and I’ve got some big plans for New Challenger on my end! Right from the start though, I want this to be a place where kids want to come and hang out and parents can feel good about it too.”












New Challenger, Dayton’s Family Friendly Arcade 




221 Crane Street,

Dayton, OH 45403


(Behind Mike’s Indoor Bike Park)




(937) 689-9002




Hours:


Monday –  Thursday  12-9pm

Friday 12-10pm

Saturday  10am-10pm

Sunday  10am-9pm


 


All month play is $30,


all day play is $10 / $7 for riders at Mike’s


Crew Pass for 4 is $30.