Old Scratch will benefit from about 40 to 45 new parking spaces at a property its investors bought at 760 S. Patterson Blvd., which also is home to a former gas station that could be converted into new offices, retail or creative spaces or a restaurant, said Eric Soller, managing owner of Old Scratch.
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Soller said he sees a lot of potential in the south Patterson and Main street corridors because of good geography, new investment and strong commitments to the area from the University of Dayton and Miami Valley Hospital.
“We really believe in this part of downtown, as an access and gateway to downtown,” he said. “I think it’s an emerging area that is overlooked.”
Until recently, the property at 760 S. Patterson Blvd. was a truck storage lot surrounded by fencing and barbed wire and owned by Community Action Partnership.
The building on the property is a former Shell gas station that closed many years ago. The partnership bought the property in the late 1990s.
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The gas station has a unique interior with redwood ceilings, a flexible and open floor plan and a mid-century modern design, Soller said.
Several potential tenants have expressed interest in the 2,300-square-foot space, and the investment group that developed Old Scratch — called DENT Logistics — also is looking at possible uses for the building, Soller said.
“Our group is exploring uses for that building, and we’ve talked to several people who seem to be interested in it,” Soller said. “It’s got great street frontage and could be a very dynamic property in downtown.”
Some people cheered Old Scratch’s opening as another sign of renewal for one of the southern corridors into downtown, which mainly is home to auto repair shops, social services providers and an auto title loan business.
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Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley helped clean up South Main Street, near where it crosses Patterson Boulevard, when it constructed a new community services building.
On Monday, Daybreak had the official ribbon cutting for Stuart & Mimi Rose Opportunity Zone of Youth at 701 S. Patterson, which is the new home to Lindy’s Bakery and the group’s other youth employment programs. Daybreak acquired and renovated an industrial facility south of its headquarters as part of a $5 million campaign to help youth who are homeless or in crisis.
In addition, construction is underway on a new donation center for the Salvation Army, located along the 900 block of South Patterson.
The sale of the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, located between south Main and Patterson streets, to the University of Dayton and Premier Health has boosted many people’s confidence that southern Dayton has a brighter future.
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Old Scratch has 38 parking spaces on its property, as well as other spaces along Catherine Street.
Earlier this year, Old Scratch advertised that it had space available for a new tenant at its 812 Patterson location, but the pizzeria might need it to expand after all, likely to aid carryout services and party reservations.
The pizzeria and beer hall take up about 6,000 square feet in the 7,500-square-foot building.
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