An iconic building in the Oregon District just filled its last vacancy.
The new business coming into the space is helping with efforts to re-open commercial spaces in the district.
The remaining retail space at the Schaefer Building on Wayne Avenue has been taken up by Grey Garden Tattoo, a tattoo studio owned by Dayton tattoo artist Emily Lux. The studio will fill the space that once housed the management office for Midtown Development at 259 Wayne Ave. Current tenants of the Schaefer Building includes Corner Kitchen, Press Coffee, Heart Mercantile, Luna Gifts & Botanicals and Puff Apothecary.
While an opening date is not set, Lux is currently working to transform the space.
As a tattoo artist, Lux specializes in larger scale tattoo pieces described as hand-sized or bigger, and much of her work features snakes and other animals, botanical and floral pieces, reapers and skulls, ornate and symmetrical designs and birds.
Grey Garden Tattoo is the latest business making its way into the historic Oregon District. In February, it was announced that Next Door Bar, owned by the operators of Hole in the Wall and Ned Peppers Bar, would be coming to 454 E. Fifth St.
The Schaefer Building recently made headlines when it was announced that the property had been purchased by prominent Dayton developer, Woodard Development. In addition to purchasing the Schaefer Building, Woodard Development has purchased the Johnston Building (513, 515, 517-523 E. Fifth Street) and former United Business Service (411-417, 419-421, 505 S. Jefferson Street) in the Oregon District.
In addition to filling vacant storefronts, Woodard Development plans to renovate the apartments in the Schaefer Building and the Johnston Building as they naturally turnover to bring consistency across all the units.
Woodard development has been behind several residential and commercial projects around downtown Dayton, including Water Street, Delco Lofts, Lock 27 Brewing, The Steam Plant, Fairfield Inn and Suites, Centerfield Flats, 444 E. Second Innovation Hub and Avant-Garde.
Woodard Development has 31 employees and a 2022 non-property revenue of $15 million.