New river-inspired restaurant and bar coming to Dayton area

The “St. Louis of Dayton,” a canal boat used to transport freight, travels the Miami and Erie Canal near Dayton. DAYTON METRO LIBRARY / MONTGOMERY COUNTY PICTURE FILE

The “St. Louis of Dayton,” a canal boat used to transport freight, travels the Miami and Erie Canal near Dayton. DAYTON METRO LIBRARY / MONTGOMERY COUNTY PICTURE FILE

Talk about turning devastation into something awesome.

A historic watermark sign recognizing the 1913 flood is part of the inspiration for a new restaurant and lounge set to open this summer in downtown Miamisburg.

"It is going to be half restaurant and half bar," chef-owner Maria Walusis said of Watermark.

Nibbles Restaurant is rebranding itself Watermark and moving two doors down from 105 S. Second St. to 20 South First St.

>> MORE: Popular Miamisburg restaurant moving, changing name 

Inspiration for the restaurant and lounge’s theme was drawn from planned recreational development along the Great Miami River, the 1913 high-water mark sign at the front of the nearby historic Erie Canal Building, and Miamisburg river heritage.

>> MORE:  Miamisburg’s riverfront park plan

Walusis said the water theme kept rising to the top as the new restaurant was being conceived.

"It just kind of led us to this river idea and holding on to the history of the building," she said.

The planned location originally housed a tobacco warehouse and has its own watermark remembering the great, destructive flood, Walusis said.

>> MORE: Terror from the river: flood that destroyed downtown Dayton

She noted that a modern spin will be put on the historic building. Renovation work will start there soon.

Like Nibbles, Watermark will offer new American and global cuisine.

Clashmore Mike's Chili had a "pop-up opening" today, April 10, at 105 S. Second St.

Brian Walusis, Maria Walusis' brother-in-law, is co-founder of that restaurant with his father John, wife Diana, and sons Adam and Mark, along with business partner Tim Upton.

>> MORE: New ‘pop-up’ restaurant aims to be the ‘Zombie Dogz of Chili’

A modern bar will be the centerpiece of Watermark’s lounge.

It will be accented by Spanish tiles and feature cocktails crafted from Maria Walusis’ husband Eric Walusis, the beverage and front-of-the-house manager.

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Nibbles open little more than two years ago. It currently seats 30 people.

>> MORE: A tiny restaurant with a big personality

The new location will seat 40 people in the dining room and 40 people in the bar.

There will be a patio and a private room that seats an additional 40 people.

>> MORE:  New restaurant & jazz club in Miamisburg already expanding

Two canal boats travel north on the Miami and Erie Canal north of Miamisburg. DAYTON METRO LIBRARY / MONTGOMERY COUNTY PICTURE FILE

icon to expand image

About the Author