New locally owned restaurant shoots for Dec. 15 opening in Beavercreek

An independently owned restaurant in the works in Beavercreek is now targeting Dec. 15 for its grand opening, its co-owner says.

"Still, as always, (there are) challenges to overcome, but, they are fewer — and I believe we will be ready," Flyboys Deli co-owner Steve Crandall said today about the 7,403-square-foot restaurant located outside of the main entrance to the Mall at Fairfield Commons.

This will be the second location for Flyboys, which operates a restaurant at 2515 Far Hills Ave. in Oakwood.

BEST OF DAYTON: Liberty Reuben from Flyboys Deli wins best sandwich

The additions are part of a surge of dining options at the Mall at Fairfield Commons that include the recent openings of MacKenzie River Pizza Grill Pub, Melt Bar & Grilled, FUSIAN, Gyro King, Asian Too and Sbarro Pizza, among others.

RELATED: Flyboys Deli makes ‘Ohio’s 14 best patios’ list (April 2017)

Crandall and his wife Eunice Kim opened the Oakwood Flyboys Deli in January 2013. The restaurant evokes a New York-style deli, with a design and decor that celebrate Dayton’s aviation heritage and its history as a cradle of invention.

Best of Dayton 2017: Countdown to the voting

Crandall is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel; he and his wife moved to the Dayton area from Maryland in 2010. Eunice Kim spent 10 years as owner or manager of delis in Maryland and Washington, D.C. area prior to coming to Dayton, and she served as manager for about a month of Flyboys Deli’s predecessor, Cooper’s Deli.

9 must-eat sandwiches in Dayton

Flyboy’s Deli was a reader favorite in Dayton.com’s Best of 2016 Best of Dayton, winning the online vote for “Best Deli,” “Best Place for a Business Lunch,” “Best Sandwich” (for its Liberty Reuben) and “Best Secret Menu Item” (for its Philly Beer Cheesesteak). And it placed second in “Friendliest Staff/Best Customer Service.”

About the Author