The Collaboratory moves, downtown Dayton storefront up for rent

A downtown Dayton storefront that faces Courthouse Square has opened up after its tenant of over seven years, The Collaboratory, moved out.

The nonprofit, which supports community initiatives, has left its location in the Courthouse Crossing building at 40 W. Second St. after the new building owner raised its steeply discounted rent to the regular rate, according to Peter Benkendorf, The Collaboratory founder.

Credit: Chris Stewart

Credit: Chris Stewart

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Courthouse Crossing, also home to Area Agency on Aging and CareSource, had gone through foreclosure and has a temporary owner who is about to put the property on the market.

Pete Nichols, with Colliers International, who represents the property, said the landlord is now charging market rents to prepare the property for sale to a permanent owner.

This opens up a prominent storefront facing inward toward the square, which is a popular spot for food trucks and community events.

Benkendorf said for the next two months the organization will be working out of 120 S. Patterson Blvd., where the downtown library had been during the main branch’s construction.

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He is still looking for a permanent space for The Collaboratory, which has been behind projects like the 3rd Sundays at Front Street, Dayton Sewing Collaborative, and Dayton Porchfest.

“We fostered dozens of collaborations out of that space and look forward to staying in the urban core area,” Benkendorf.

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Kaitlin R Schroeder