After seeing the signs on the windows of the former Fifth Street Deli, I reached out to building owner Guy Fragmin to ask about his plans for 416 Diner and he was kind enough to invite me down to chat about his new concept. What I didn’t expect was to find him on scaffolding working on the remodel himself. As we talked he shared that he’d been a chimney sweep, worked in construction and then spent 20 years working in advertising for the Berry Company.
So how exactly does that lead to opening a restaurant? Guy explained that growing up in West Virginia his family had a deli/dinner and a bar and restaurant and that going there as a kid left him with great memories and he’d always dreamed of opening his own place. He left West Virginia to attend the Ohio Institute of Photography and that’s how he ended up in Dayton.
In 2005 he bought the building at 416 Fifth Street in the Oregon District, as an investment 
property and on the day he closed, he was approached by Rob Strong to rent the first floor for a deli. After 10 years the Fifth Street Deli has outgrown the space and is currently renovating the old Canal Street Tavern at 308 East First Street and will soon open the Canal Street Arcade and Deli. Fragmin is happy to see the growth of that deli and wishes him much success in his new space. Thinking about the empty space and the plans he’s been making to have a diner since he was a child, Guy really tried to think about what the area really needed, looking for a niche market that wasn’t being served in the area.
So his concept for early breakfast, lunch and late night really great comfo
rt food was born. An early draft of the menu shows eggs and breakfast meat combos, about 1/2 a dozen omelets, pancakes and waffles. And what’s a great dinner without burgers, BLT’s, and a great Philly cheese steak sandwich. Fragmin also got quite excited about the Pepperoni and Sausage Rolls that will be his signature item. Guy explained to me that these were a staple of growing up in West Virginia and theses hand held treats are served in bars, bakeries and convenience stores all over the state.
When the remodel is done, there will be booth seating against the east wall, some tables near the front and counters, both low and high, overlooking the open kitchen on the west wall. He anticipates opening in late April/early May, based on construction and permits. He was quick to offer up gratitude for the help he’s received from Cindy at the Health Department, Rachel Bankowitz, who handles historic preservation for the City and Jen Cadieux at the Downtown Partnership, who he said has been just incredibly helpful.
Curious to see what the new place will look like? Here’s a photo of the plans, which are posted on the front door. Sorry for the fuzzy picture, I’m no photographer, unlike Fragmin, who is and will be able to take great pictures of his food once the kitchen is up and running.
And since it will be a few months before we’ll be eating at 416 Diner, I asked Guy where he likes to dine out. He shared “I’m a big fan of local, I don’t do chains. I really enjoy the Corner Kitchen and Meadowlark.”
Stay tuned for updates from us on the progress and we’ll be sure and let you know when opening day is scheduled.
It’s not a difficult task to discover 
The Downtown Dayton Partnership is helping to roll out a new juried art show. The 
You can meet the artists from the juried show pop-up galleries in their spaces, and you can check out an array of other arts activities sprinkled around downtown, including:
Nucleus CoShare
I am a Dayton native. I left after graduating Fairview High School to attend Haverford College, graduate school at Western Reserve University, and military service in the Air Force in Turkey and Italy. I returned to practice dentistry for 50 years, much of that as a partner with my father, Dr. Jack Saidel. That was always my intention and I have fulfilled it happily.
Now, we have entered the age when down-sizing is becoming a cogent decision. Both of us have dealt with the concept of a smaller residence. We realized that Dayton’s arts are the center of our life’s activities. This made downtown Dayton a major choice for us. Our move downtown puts us at the epicenter of the arts, music, dining and friends.
We also need space for our relatives and children. We regularly fill our big home with their presence for family events. We also host many artists performing here for the opera, Vanguard concerts, etc. We knew a two- or even three-bedroom apartment would be too confining. Many visits to condominium-type dwellings yielded nothing that came close to our needs. We came upon an interesting concept, vertical rather than horizontal, that was advanced by Charles Simms in his design for Monument Walk.
We know the Simms family well. Charlie, as the younger member, and his father Charles are experienced builders and good friends. And we know with Ann Simms looking over their shoulders, everything will be perfect.
Cincinnati native Jon White wasn’t happy stuck behind the wheel of his car. When the 31-year-old landed a job in Dayton, he initially tried to commute from his new job in Dayton back to his home in Cincinnati. But spending hours on the road took its toll on Jon, and he decided to find a new home that offered more freedom and flexibility. “I didn’t feel healthy commuting like that every day. I wanted to live close to work and close to entertainment,” Jon said. The location at Dayton Towers apartment complex 
checked off Jon’s requirements for proximity for 9-to-5 and 5-to-9 activities. “I bike to work just about every day,” he said. “and I still have easy access to the highway if I need to travel somewhere, and it’s a quick trip to access the bike trails for recreation.”
population is more dense, you’ll see more people, and when you walk or bike instead of drive, you have more interactions.” Within his own apartment building, Jon said he has met a wide range of ages and backgrounds of people who choose the convenience and excitement of downtown living. “There are families with kids, senior citizens, University of Dayton and Sinclair College students, young professionals like myself — people from all walks of life live here,” he said. “There’s a real sense of community.”
Mingling with other Dayton Towers residents is how Jon met his group of friends, who enjoy Dayton Towers’ proximity to Oregon District businesses as well as theaters, art galleries, recreational activities, and other amenities within easy walking or leisurely bike riding distance. Of course hanging out on the patio or balconies is a popular choice with the amazing city views. Regardless of how he now spends his additional free time as a downtown resident, Jon said he’s happy with his choice to ditch the commute and dive into the live-work-play environment his downtown address provides. “It’s a lifestyle I prefer to have.”
One of the city’s most beloved local rock bands, 
