DAYTON — So much has changed in Old North Dayton since three years ago when an EF4 tornado ripped through part of Montgomery County.
An empty lot full of rocks, dirt and grass was once a grocery store that helped to feed this part of the community.
>> RELATED: Memorial Day tornadoes: What happened?
Grocerylane once stood in the empty lot. Nine months after the tornado hit, Storm Center 7 Chief Meteorologist McCall Vyrdaghs had the opportunity to walk up and down the aisles of the grocery store with owner Deep Patel.
He was hopeful that he was going to open the store back up for the residents of old North Dayton, but I think deep down he knew it wasn’t going to happen.
“When you think it’s too much to handle and you’ll have to close the store,” Patel said
Grocerylane was the main grocery store for the residents of Old North Dayton, and when the store went out of business that led to a food desert in the community.
>> RELATED: WHIO-TV’s Vrydaghs tours Memorial Day tornadoes damage from new viewpoint
Vrydaghs had the chance to talk with Matthew Tepper who is the president of the Old North Dayton Neighborhood Association and he said they’ve come up with a unique way to feed the community.
“We have actually a new grocery store that just opened. That makes three small little grocery stores and that seems to be filing the gap,” Tepper said.
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Bengals pro bowl wide receiver AJ Green stopped by Corinthian Baptist Church/Red Cross Emergency shelter to donate and lend a helping hand for those impacted by the tornado. Photos courtesy of Maria Brooks. (Jenna Pichot)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Cleanup begins at Mike's Car Wash in Beavercreek. (WHIO File) (Bill Lackey)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Daj za Demmings (pink shirt) is the president of Dayton Young Black Professionals.
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery The Clark County 4-H Club The Clark County 4-H Peeps Squeals Mooz donated to kids impacted by the Dayton tornadoes.
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery The Beavercreek Florist, 2173 N. Fairfield Road, has reopened after the Memorial Day tornado damaged the building and knocked power out in the area. CONTRIBUTED (Wilson, Richard (CMG-Dayton))
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Volunteers Saturday accepted donations of food and goods, and then distributed those donations to those in need, at Harrison Twp. Fire Station 94, 2400 Turner Road. That relief effort will continue Sunday from noon until 6 pm. (WHIO File) (Thomas Gnau/Thomas Gnau)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Harrison Township residents show their support following Memorial Day tornadoes. STAFF PHOTO / MIKE CAMPBELL (Mike Campbell)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Meghan Porter and daughter Gemma,6, of Beavercreek stand in front of a damaged apartment complex. Porter said her childhood home in Beavercreek was destroyed. (WHIO File) (Bill Lackey)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Church members, neighbors, friends and family of the Northridge Wesleyan Church sing during a Sunday service in the parking lot of the tornado damaged church in Harrison Twp. A damaged home on Neff Road is seen in the background. (WHIO File) (Ty Greenlees)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Northridge Schools in conjunction with the First Heavy Metal Church of Christ is currently running a Food/Supplies Pantry for residents affected by the Memorial Day Tornado. Shopping times are Tuesday through Saturday 12 noon to 6:00 PM. Volunteers are readily available to make deliveries based on need. The Pantry has a wealth of food, water, and supplies to offer in addition to other items to help rebuild/repair homes. Northridge Families who have been affected and are in need of disaster relief are encouraged to call 937-242-2559 and either speak with a representative or leave a detailed message. Please describe your needs based on the following categories: Debris removal - trees, collapsed sheds, etc. Financial assistance for those unable to meet insurance deductibles. Car damage/Transportation issues. Construction assistance for home repairs. Immediate needs, food, clothes, diapers, water, toiletries, etc. We are also asking any interested Contractors to contact our hotline and express whatever kind of support you can provide to help rebuild our community. (WHIO File) (Scott Kessler)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Volunteer tornado relief event in Old North Dayton. Volunteers gave out free food, water, and amenities at the corner of Old Troy Pike & Oberer Dr. for victims of the Memorial Day tornadoes. STAFF PHOTO / DREW TANNER (Drew Tanner)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Residents Jenny Alcala, left, and Norman Roland with a truck load of debris from the Salem Bend Condominiums in Trotwood where a tornado struck on Memorial Day. (WHIO File) (Ty Greenlees)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Miami football player Bennett Clark and teammates help with tornado cleanup in Beavercreek. (WHIO File) (Marshall Gorby)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Griffen and Hailey Sander load the belongings of their family friend Christine Creager (WHIO File) (Ty Greenlees)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Church members, neighbors, friends and family of the Northridge Wesleyan Church sing during a Sunday service in the parking lot of the tornado damaged church in Harrison Twp. Damaged homes on Neff Road are seen in the background. (WHIO File) (Ty Greenlees)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery The team at Tanks Bar & Grill in Dayton make sandwiches for tornado victims. CONTRIBUTED
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery WHIO File (Ty Greenlees)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Tornado battered houses and trees along Rolfe Avenue in Harrison Twp. near Wagner Ford Road. WHIO File (Ty Greenlees)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Volunteers with Samaritan's Purse gather for prayer before going to tornado damaged neighborhoods in the Dayton area to assist homeowners. WHIO File (Ty Greenlees)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Volunteers with Samaritan's Purse worked in this Harrison Twp. neighborhood and others that were affected by tornado damage. The workers covered this house on Maumee Avenue. WHIO File (Ty Greenlees)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Contractors have begun working to stabilize roofs and structures throughout tornado damage areas like this house on Denlinger Road in Trotwood. WHIO File (Ty Greenlees)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery The Dayton Foodbank and Cox Media Group Ohio partnered with the North Dixie Drive In to aid in tornado relief efforts and gave away bottled water and food to those in need on Wednesday at the drive-in on North Dixie Drive. Bags of fresh oranges were part of the distribution. WHIO File (Ty Greenlees)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery James Coburn, of Coburn Concrete in New Carlisle, loads supplies on a trailer already carrying thousands of bottles of donated drinking water for the Dayton tornado victims Friday. Coburn said the flag on the back of his shirt reminds him that we're all Americans and we should help each other. WHIO File (Bill Lackey)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery One of many damage homes in Beavercreek. WHIO File
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Trotwood residents Ryan an Danielle Johnson rode out the tornado in the basement on Monday night and discovered half of their roof missing on Wolf Creek Run. WHIO File (Ty Greenlees)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Camaren Sloan, from the Chamber of Greater Springfield, loads cases of donated drinking water into the trunk of her car Wednesday for transport to the tornado victims in the Dayton area. The Chamber posted on their Facebook page that they were taking donations and have gotten dozens of cases donated. (WHIO File)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Karen Coburn loads bottles of Gatorade onto a trailer already carrying thousands of bottles of donated water Friday at Coburn Concrete in New Carlisle. Coburn Concrete collected over 17 thousand bottles of drinking water and delivered them Friday evening. (WHIO File) (Bill Lackey)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Houses in the Old North Dayton neighborhood along Troy Street where a tornado ripped through industrial buildings across the street and then the neighborhood on Monday night. (WHIO File) (Ty Greenlees)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery WHIO File (Ty Greenlees)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Houses in the Old North Dayton neighborhood along Troy Street where a tornado ripped through industrial buildings across the street and then the neighborhood on Monday night. WHIO File (Ty Greenlees)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Cleanup underway at ALDI in Beavercreek. WHIO File (Bill Lackey)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Volunteers from Christian Aid Ministries in Berlin, Ohio traveled to Trotwood and began cleaning up debris at houses along Denlinger Road on Thursday. WHIO File (Ty Greenlees)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Houses and businesses in Brookville were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Houses and businesses in Brookville were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File (Nicholas S. Graham)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery The destruction remains Tuesday, May 28 after Recreated Automotive at the intersection of Brookville Pyrmont Road and Johnsville Brookville Road was destroyed by tornadoes Monday night in Brookville. Streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File (Nicholas S. Graham)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Houses, businesses and vehicles in Harrison Township were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. This is a view of the path of destruction behind Trinity Lighthouse Church on Frederick Pike. The church was not harmed. WHIO File (Nicholas S. Graham)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Houses and businesses in Brookville were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File (Nicholas S. Graham)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Houses and businesses in Brookville were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Houses, businesses and vehicles in Harrison Township were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. This is on Neff Road near N. Dixie Drive. WHIO File (Nicholas S. Graham)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Houses and businesses in Brookville were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery A board pierced the side of Steve Griffin's residence at Overlook Mutual Homes in Riverside. Right after the tornado, the house "looked like a snow globe," he said. "All the dirt and all the dried out insulation from the attic and little pieces of leaves from them trees over there were floating in the air.” WHIO File (Chris Stewart)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery The destruction remains Tuesday, May 28 after Recreated Automotive at the intersection of Brookville Pyrmont Road and Johnsville Brookville Road was destroyed by tornadoes Monday night in Brookville. Streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery The destruction remains Tuesday, May 28 after Recreated Automotive at the intersection of Brookville Pyrmont Road and Johnsville Brookville Road was destroyed by tornadoes Monday night in Brookville. Streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery The destruction remains Tuesday, May 28 after Recreated Automotive at the intersection of Brookville Pyrmont Road and Johnsville Brookville Road was destroyed by tornadoes Monday night in Brookville. Streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File (Nicholas S. Graham)
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Jason Young looks over the damage at Recreated Automotive at the intersection of Brookville Pyrmont Road and Johnsville Brookville Road Tuesday, May 28 in Brookville. Streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Houses and businesses in Brookville were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO file
Looking Back: 2019 Tornado Outbreak and Recovery Houses and businesses in Brookville were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. WHIO File
Trotwood Tornado (left to right) Tosha s 12-year-old daughter Asia Ricks, Brooklyn Byrd (Asia s classmate at Mother Brunner Catholic School in pink top), Nnek Archimalo (Asia s classmate) Yamenneh Archimalo (Nnek s mother) and Tosha in front of Johnson home in Trotwood. WHIO File
Trotwood Tornado Donna Harrison gets a hug from her son, Tremaine Leonard, who just got home from Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, after tornadoes destroyed part of the neighborhood last Monday. Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado. WHIO File
Trotwood Tornado Donna Harrison gets a hug from her son, Tremaine Leonard, who just got home from Indianapolis, Saturday, June 1, after tornadoes destroyed part of the neighborhood last Monday. Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado. WHIO File
Trotwood Tornado Trotwood resident George Garnes the roofless bedroom of his home on Denlinger Road after the tornado on Memorial Day. Garnes said he was on a cruise with his wife when the tornado hit and they had to fly home early because his sister's home, next to his, had the entire roof come off as seen in the background here. WHIO File (Ty Greenlees)
Trotwood Tornado Tosha Johnson gets hug of support from Yamenneh Archimalo. WHIO File
Trotwood Tornado Houses and businesses in Trotwood were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. These homes were on Olive Tree Drive. WHIO File (Nicholas S. Graham)
Trotwood Tornado Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado last Monday. WHIO File
Trotwood Tornado Paris Minniefield, was in a bathroom at a home he rents on Weddington Drive in Trotwood when the roof was ripped off during the tornadoes. WHIO File (Nicholas S. Graham)
Trotwood Tornado Ohio Governor Mike Dewine visited Trotwood Tuesday, May 28 to survey damage by tornadoes late Monday night. Dewine was brought in by Ohio State Highway Patrol helicopter then met with Trotwood Mayor Mary McDonald and toured the area. WHIO File (Nicholas S. Graham)
Trotwood Tornado Houses and businesses in Trotwood were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. These homes were on Mount Olive Court. WHIO File (Nicholas S. Graham)
Trotwood Tornado Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado. WHIO File (Nicholas S. Graham)
Trotwood Tornado Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado. WHIO File (Nicholas S. Graham)
Trotwood Tornado Volunteer groups, residents and even some trustees form Montgomery County Jail worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado last Monday. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF (Nicholas S. Graham)
Trotwood Tornado Ohio Governor Mike DeWine visited Trotwood Tuesday, May 28 to survey damage by tornadoes late Monday night. DeWine was brought in by Ohio State Highway Patrol helicopter then met with Trotwood Mayor Mary McDonald and toured the area. WHIO File (Nicholas S. Graham)
Trotwood Tornado Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado. (WHIO File)
Trotwood Tornado Hundreds gathered at Trotwood-Madison High School to branch out and help those hardest hit by tornadoes in the area. This group was just one of many groups helping. WHIO File
Trotwood Tornado Houses, businesses and vehicles in Trotwood were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. This is a view of the old Hara Arena from Basore Road. WHIO File (Nicholas S. Graham)
Trotwood Tornado Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado. (WHIO File)
Trotwood Tornado Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado last Monday. (WHIO File)
Trotwood Tornado Houses and businesses in Trotwood were damage by tornadoes May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. These homes were on Olive Tree Drive. (WHIO File) (Nicholas S. Graham)
Trotwood Tornado Houses and businesses in Trotwood were damage by tornadoes late Monday night, May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. These homes were on Olive Tree Drive. (WHIO File)
Trotwood Tornado Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado. (WHIO File) (Nicholas S. Graham)
Trotwood Tornado Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado. (WHIO File)
Trotwood Tornado Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado (WHIO File)
Trotwood Tornado Hundreds gathered at Trotwood-Madison High School to branch out and help those hardest hit by tornadoes in the area. This group was just one of many groups helping. (WHIO File) (Nicholas S. Graham)
Trotwood Tornado Volunteer groups, residents and even some trustees form Montgomery County Jail worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado (WHIO File) (Nicholas S. Graham)
Trotwood Tornado Houses and businesses in Trotwood were damage by tornadoes May 27. Many streets were blocked for downed trees, power lines and debris scattered through the neighborhoods. These homes were on Olive Tree Drive. (WHIO File) (Nicholas S. Graham)
Trotwood Tornado Hundreds gathered at Trotwood-Madison High School to branch out and help those hardest hit by tornadoes in the area. This group was just one of many groups helping. (WHIO File)
Trotwood Tornado Volunteer groups and residents worked together Saturday, June 1 to clear debris from some of the neighborhoods in Trotwood and other areas hit by the tornado. (WHIO File)
Trotwood Tornado Left to right: Michelle Farris, Ashley Browning, Ashley Stephens and Ashley Corporal, with volunteer group SoLoved set up a table on Olive Tree Drive in Trotwood to helps serve food and water to those in need in the area Tuesday, May 28 after overnight tornadoes ripped through the region. (WHIO File)
Trotwood Tornado Tim Smith, right, mans the chainsaw to get branches out of a resident's yard in Trotwood Saturday, June 1. Smith was among hundreds who gathered at Trotwood-Madison High School to branch out and help those hardest hit by tornadoes in the area. WHIO File (Nicholas S. Graham)