Dayton business owner shares about first experience at ‘Out on Fifth’

DAYTON — This weekend marked the beginning of a new program in Dayton’s Oregon District called “Out on Fifth.”

The program allows businesses to extend into the street and help recoup business lost early on from the pandemic.

News Center 7′s Monica Castro spoke with the owner of the restaurant Roost Modern Italian who told her the business attracted new customers and was able to add almost a dozen new tables for service.

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“A lot of the business owners have amazing set ups and it looks so good,” said Dana Downs, owner and executive chef at Roost.

“I’m really proud of our street.”

Friday was the first night of the Oregon District Business Association’s pilot program which allowed businesses to expand seating outside and Fifth Street to become a designated outdoor refreshment area.

“We had a couple of drinks, ate and walked around it was really enjoyable,” said Samuel Battaglia of Dayton.

Downs is happy that all the extra foot traffic brought old and new customers to Roost.

“We have 11 extra tables, so it’s definitely helped. We recouped the tables we lost for social distancing,” Downs said.

Out on Fifth runs every weekend through October and patrons said they will be out to support their local favorites.

Cox Media Group