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Historic Dayton Arcade Welcomes New Marketplace
The marketplace will feature a mix of legacy and new local businesses, sparking retail growth in the revitalized space.
Published on Feb. 14, 2026
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The Dayton Arcade project, which has taken years to complete, is set to open a new 7,500-square-foot marketplace area in the historic building. The marketplace will feature a mix of legacy businesses like Smales Pretzel Bakery alongside new local retailers, creating a unique shopping experience that celebrates Dayton's history and future.
Why it matters
The opening of the Dayton Arcade marketplace represents a significant milestone in the revitalization of this historic landmark. By bringing in a diverse mix of local businesses, the marketplace aims to drive foot traffic and commerce back to the Arcade, which has been largely dormant since the late 1980s. This development is expected to spur additional retail growth and help preserve Dayton's unique character in the face of broader economic changes.
The details
The 7,500-square-foot marketplace area will feature 10 retail spaces, with a mix of legacy businesses like the century-old Smales Pretzel Bakery returning to the Arcade, as well as new local shops and services such as Luke's Custom Cakes, Pink Moon Goods, and Tiffany's on Third boutique dry bar. The storefronts have been hand-crafted to recreate the original early 20th century marketplace feel. The marketplace is connected to the new 93-room Hilton Garden Inn, further integrating the Arcade into Dayton's hospitality and tourism landscape.
- The Dayton Arcade project has been underway for several years, with restoration work beginning in 2023.
- The marketplace's grand opening is scheduled for March 6-7, 2026.
The players
Dayton Arcade
A historic building in Dayton, Ohio that first opened in 1904 and is undergoing a major revitalization project.
Megan Dunn Peters
The marketing & community partnerships manager of the Dayton Arcade.
Smales Pretzel Bakery
A legacy Dayton business that had a store in the original Arcade and is now returning to the revitalized marketplace.
What they’re saying
“This area is one of the most special parts of the Arcade, because it was originally a marketplace.”
— Megan Dunn Peters, Marketing & Community Partnerships Manager, Dayton Arcade (dayton247now.com)
“Businesses can kind of be propped up by each other, which I think the density is really important, and the creativity and the unique mix of what we have here. It's all local Dayton-grown things.”
— Megan Dunn Peters, Marketing & Community Partnerships Manager, Dayton Arcade (dayton247now.com)
“Daytonians of the past have these really fond memories of this space, but now, it's a chance for Daytonians to make these future memories and really enjoy this multi-generational space.”
— Megan Dunn Peters, Marketing & Community Partnerships Manager, Dayton Arcade (dayton247now.com)
What’s next
The marketplace's grand opening is scheduled for March 6-7, 2026, marking a major milestone in the Dayton Arcade's revitalization.
The takeaway
The opening of the Dayton Arcade marketplace represents an exciting new chapter for this historic landmark, blending legacy Dayton businesses with innovative local retailers to create a unique shopping and dining destination that celebrates the city's past, present, and future.
