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“We wanted to re-invest in the property, and right now, that entrance to the Oregon District does not reflect the best of Dayton,” LaSelle said. “We want that entrance to look better. We want to bring Wayne Avenue into the Fifth Street vibe.”
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The project was approved last week by the Dayton Landmarks Commission, a spokeswoman for the commission said.
That was the final approval needed before construction can begin. “We’re good to go,” LaSelle said.
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“We hope to start immediately. We are trying to get the concrete work done before the end of the season,” LaSelle said. “Our goal is to get the entire project done in the spring of next year, so you will see us getting started soon.”
The seating capacity and the cost of the new patio have not been set yet. The Van Burean Room cocktail bar has seating for about 40, and often reaches capacity on some nights, LaSelle said.
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“We are currently turning away birthday parties and other groups of 15 or so,” he said. “This will allow us to accommodate those groups and will open the space up a bit.”
Cocktails, beer and wine will be available on the patio, and plans call for inviting food trucks to serve customers at peak times, LaSelle said.
The distillery will add landscaping and a tree line as part of the project, as well as an herb garden that will be used to enhance the bar’s cocktails.
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Since opening in 2014, the Belle of Dayton Distillery has won multiple awards and recognition for its pot-distilled, small-batch spirits, including a coveted Double Gold medal for its Dayton Gin at the 2017 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
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