Dayton Development Thread (Kettering, Fairfield, Beavercreek: architectural, dental, supermarket)

[dxdtdemon]

The reason that shopping center reeks of death is because it's owned by the Lofino family and they are extremely poor landlords. When my friends have opened small stores in Beavercreek, they thought that it would be a good location to move to, but after hearing horror stories from the business owners that were still around and wishing they could leave sooner, they had to go elsewhere. I hope that they sell the shopping center area to someone who actually knows how to be a landlord.

[RDriesenUD]

It always amazes me how many business people don't know how to run a business right.

I watch all these places fail on Wilmington by Meijer. It really isn't that hard. Bring a good business in, be a good owner/manager/etc.... and you will succeed. There are so many people who come to that area each day. It really shouldn't be that hard. I wish Kettering would buy all the places up (they have bought a few I think) and just demolish them.

[RDriesenUD]

Photos inside Oriel Studios at 131 E. 3rd St. in Dayton - Dayton Business Journal

[SWOH]

Wrightflyer, your suspicions were correct. Lofino's is closing:

Lofino's Closing

Bummer.

[dxdtdemon]

I understand that many people are ticked when a local business closes, but for Lofino's, it should be good riddance. Between the way that they blight various shopping centers that they own due to their poor landlording skills and the way that they have bought land under one zoning category, and then have it be converted to a different category so that they can build commercial stuff on it, but get ridiculous amount of tax breaks while ripping off regular people on their property taxes, I'm glad that these bad citizens don't have their primary source of income, and hope that someone can turn their properties into something better or just tear them down.

[hensleya1]

Originally Posted by SWOH

Wrightflyer, your suspicions were correct. Lofino's is closing:

Lofino's Closing

Bummer.

I've occasionally done business in that shopping center, but only occasionally. I've always wondered why that retail spot seemed to be so dead compared to the nearby shopping area centered on that Kroger's... the answer being obvious that it can really only support one supermarket.

For better or worse, that shopping center will linger on for a few more years, although I don't predict it to be redeveloped as a retail area... I'm not sure what you could put there?

I would love to see it be rebuilt as new housing, with its proximity to 35. Perhaps as apartments, with all the talk about more people renting instead of buying houses? There's almost zero rental opportunities south of 35 in Beavercreek, after all.

[wrightflyer]

Originally Posted by hensleya1

I've occasionally done business in that shopping center, but only occasionally. I've always wondered why that retail spot seemed to be so dead compared to the nearby shopping area centered on that Kroger's... the answer being obvious that it can really only support one supermarket.

For better or worse, that shopping center will linger on for a few more years, although I don't predict it to be redeveloped as a retail area... I'm not sure what you could put there?

I would love to see it be rebuilt as new housing, with its proximity to 35. Perhaps as apartments, with all the talk about more people renting instead of buying houses? There's almost zero rental opportunities south of 35 in Beavercreek, after all.

Mills Morgan or Synergy buying it for luxury apartments focused towards younger crowd? Possible. Anyone here anything lately on the plans that Synergy announced for the former Showcase Cinemas off I-675. Behind Cross Point? That sounded promising, but knowing Centerville and its anti-business, bully-minded city council...

And I say anti-business because of their restrictions on development, such as the Dewey's in the town center or how they've handled the Costco and Cornerstone annexation situation. The latter is also being a bad neighbor. Then there is their suppression on any business along Loop that would benefit advertising for the car dealerships, who pay loads in taxes to the city. Wouldn't surprise me if they balk at more apartments too.

Beavercreek residents may balk as well about apartments there (soon-to-be-empty Lofino's space., but I think it would be a good idea. Bob Evans will want to see plans develop soon, though they are always busy there.

I too have heard nothing but bad things about the current generation of certain Lofino family members. However, the family as a whole has donated much to the local Beavercreek community.

[hensleya1]

What about a mixed solution to the plan - conversion of the supermarket site to apartments while still keeping half a shopping center there? It would certainly have the makings of an improvised mixed-use community, and the remaining businesses could certainly benefit from having residents right next door.

[RDriesenUD]

I didn't know where to put this, so I am putting it here. If you guys know, let me know, and I will post it there.

Has anyone seen the new signs for the bike trails (I think)? I've seen them in Kettering and they are really nice.

[SWOH]

^I have not. Unless you are talking about the orange ones that detail the biking distance to destinations. Glad to hear they look good though!