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BRIM

Dayton At Work and Play: Amelia O’Dowd, owner of BRIM

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“I moved to Dayton from Boston in 2012. I’ve always been a hat person, and in my old Boston neighborhood there was a great hat shop. I couldn’t find anything like that in Dayton, so I bought this building, painted it yellow, and opened a hat shop for men and women. As is turns out, there wasn’t another hat shop in this region, so we regularly get people coming here from places like Indianapolis or Columbus.”

“When the virus hit, we had to shut down for a while. We used that time to improve our website. I’m happy with the result. The site has good photos and all of the size information a shopper needs. Our selection of hats for men and women is really unique. We design some of the hats ourselves, and have them made in the country’s oldest operating hat factory. Other hats are made specifically for our shop by designers in New York. We also have some other interesting products, like Jewelry from artisans in India or skincare products from a retired cricket player in New Zealand”

“We’re open for walk-in customers now, and operating as safely as possible. We’ve changed the store layout a bit to help with social distancing, and everyone wears masks. Business isn’t as good as it was, but between the walk-ins and the website we’re doing OK.”

Brim
464 East Fifth Street
The Oregon District
Dayton, OH 45402

(937) 222-4287
Hours:
Tues- Sat 11am – 8pm
Sun 11am- 4pm

Mike Elsass Donates Art to Support Local Business

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Renowned Local Artist Mike Elsass is reaching into his own collection to spread the color of energy around to local Dayton businesses affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Elsass has started by donating two pieces inspired by local hattery Brim to the business in support of his favorite hat shop to help cover costs during the pandemic.

The two piece set, which is done in the iconic Elsass style of paint on rusted steel, each measure 20.5” x 20.5”, and are valued at $1,000, but Brim will be auctioning them off via a local pickup-on auction on ebay to raise money for the shop. Opening bid is set at $500.

Owner Amelia O’Dowd has maintained paying employees despite having been closed since the initial shutdown order. Brim is now going through the process of reopening slowly for appointment-only shopping, but like so many businesses, is working to catch up to business lost.

Mike personally selected and signed the pieces before dropping them off (socially-distance style) to be signed and then auctioned by Brim.

“I want to do whatever I can to help these businesses that need help right now,” Elsass said. “Dayton is hurting, and if art can help, I want to help.”

The pieces for Brim are listed at a starting bid of $500, but Elsass is hoping they can go much higher to help the business.

One of the two pieces is signed on the back by both Elsass and the Brim staff of the selected as a message of appreciation for the eventual buyer.

O’Dowd said she was extremely thankful for the unexpected help.

“All of us at Brim are very thankful for Mike Elsass leaning in and supporting us and our small business as we navigate these uncertain times.”

Hattery Launches A “Show Us Your Brim” Contest

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10505119_527157707411266_2767777652230744014_oCelebrate First Friday and help Brim, the Oregon District’s only hat shop launch their Show Us Your Brim contest! They’ll be taking pictures of you and your hats and accessories from 5:00 to 9:00 and posting them to Facebook and Instagram. In exchange for letting them take your picture, they’ll give you 10% off during First Friday.

If you can’t make it on First Friday, it’s okay. You can still participate. Just post a picture of yourself sporting your favorite BRIM purchase on Facebook with a link to their page in the photo caption or post a picture on Instagram with @brimonfifth and #brimonfifth. Show us the picture between 8/1-8/14 and get 10% off. On 8/15 we’ll reward the taker of our favorite photo with a $50 gift certificate.  

Fall in Love with Downtown Dayton at the next First Friday!

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SAMSUNG CSCDowntown’s next free First Friday art hop will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1. A list of highlights for the February event is below. A complete list of what downtown businesses have on tap for First Friday — including live music, discounts at shops and restaurants, and more — is available on the DDP website.

• Blue Sky Gallery, 8 N. Main St.: Collaborative exhibit and artist reception for Bridgette Bogle and Francis Schanberger. Schanberger will exhibit photographs based on his wanderings around Dayton; Bogle will exhibit abstract paintings in response to Schanberger’s photographs. Call 732-5123.

• CADC, 35 S. St. Clair St.: “Abstract Expressionist” paint party inspired by artist Jackson Pollack and an art auction. Bids can be anywhere from 50 to 75 percent less than the asking price. This month’s auction includes two furniture pieces by Christy Jennewein. The highest bidder on Feb. 1 wins. Call 313-9883.

• Clash Consignments, 521 E. Fifth St.: Opening of an exhibit featuring winter wonderland-themed artwork. Vote for your favorite artist in the show during First Friday; the winning artist will take home a cash prize. Call 241-9434.

• Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors, 48 High St.: (Open 5 to 8 p.m.) Opening reception of new exhibit, “Salon des Refusés.” This exhibit features work by local artists whose art previously was denied and is a fun way to highlight any artwork that ever has been rejected from a show or gallery. Call 228-4532.

• Grass Roots Enrichment and Wellness Center, 400 E. Fifth St. Suite C: (Open 5 to 8 p.m.) Art byTodd Hulsman, a free introduction to Reiki and massage therapy, hands-on activities for kids, and information on upcoming programs for children, teens and adults. Call 723-6747.

• Sew Dayton, 16 Brown St.: 20 percent off fat quarters (18-by-22 inch cuts of fabric) and unveiling of a collaboration with Amy Kollar Anderson, who is the store’s artist of the month, by making custom zipper pouches and makeup bags out of fabric printed from her artwork. Call 937-234-7398.

• BRIM, 464 E. Fifth St.: Hats from the May Michael Design collection created by local artisans Julia and Samantha Hughes. The collection features fine design, materials and craftsmanship from the ’20s to present day. Call 222-4287.

First Friday is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership with support from the Oregon District Business Association, the Ohio Arts Council and WYSO-FM 91.3. The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more. Download the Find It Downtown mobile search tool for smartphones at http://mobile.downtowndayton.org.