Lauren Gay is the founder and visionary behind Joui Wine, a new wine retail bar located in the heart of downtown Dayton. Lauren's journey to opening Joui Wine began with a deep passion for the world of wine and a desire to create something unique and accessible. Her background in the culinary arts and hospitality industry provided her with a strong foundation and a keen understanding of flavors, which she uses to provide Dayton with a one-of-a-kind wine experience.

Jouissance (ZHooēˈsäns) is the experience of simultaneous physical and intellectual delight. This word is at the core of Joui Wine’s philosophy: putting people first in an environment where passionate wine enthusiasts tailor selections for the customer. Featuring wines from around the world that are rotated weekly, Joui sells wine by the glass or by the bottle, along with a variety of small plates that pair seamlessly with the wine selected.

Joui Wine also features “The Dose,” a monthly subscription that provides wine aficionados with bottles of wine curated by sommeliers with tasting notes and food pairing suggestions, as well as exclusive access to in-shop tastings and events. From happy hours to dance parties to business meetings, Joui Wine was designed to accommodate a variety of different events. The open space and warm colors make for a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere where anyone can settle down and have a glass.

The Dayton Dragons and CYMI Holdings are honored to award Lauren Gay with the Dayton Dragons Dream Big Award presented by CYMI Holdings, which recognizes impactful local entrepreneurs that are making the Dayton region a better place to live, work, and play.

"I will do better than you. I will open a second one," Mo Jusufi promised after buying Jimmy’s Italian Cuisine from his friend, Jimmy Troni, in 2014. That promise has now come to fruition with the opening of Jimmy’s Italian Cuisine’s Dayton location after years of success with the original restaurant in Kettering.

Since moving to Dayton from Kosovo in 2002, Mo has worked his way up from a customer service manager with BMW to a flourishing entrepreneur, realizing his vision to bring authentic Italian food to Dayton. Through his perseverance, determination, and attention to detail, Mo and his family have encapsulated everything one could want from an Italian dining experience in the heart of Dayton.

Meals can be enjoyed outside with al fresco patio seating or inside while watching sports with a drink at the bar. Jimmy’s Italian Cuisine offers a variety of traditional Italian dishes, whether you’re craving a classic chicken Alfredo, savory lasagna, or buttery garlic knots, Jimmy’s will give you a true taste of Italy.

Jimmy’s Italian Cuisine, located at 824 E. Fifth St., is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., with the kitchen closing at 9 p.m.
Find Jimmy’s Italian Cuisine on Facebook, or online at www.jimmysitaliancuisine.com and join us for lunch, dinner, or just a drink and taste the difference today!

The Dayton Dragons and CYMl Holdings are honored to award Mo Jusufi with the Dayton Dragons Dream Big Award, which recognizes impactful local entrepreneurs that are making the Dayton region a better place to live, work and play.

Dayton's long history of innovation and product development shows no signs of stopping anytime soon, especially with citizens like Nick Ripplinger around. Ripplinger, a U.S. Army veteran, founded Battle Sight Technologies in 2017 after identifying a need for efficient solutions to enhance the capabilities of military personnel. Leveraging his military experience and passion for innovation, he started Battle Sight Technologies to create products that would offer practical, life-saving advantages to soldiers in the field.

Battle Sight Technologies was established with the mission of developing advanced, easy-to-use technologies for defense and public safety applications. The company gained significant attention with its flagship product, CrayTac IR, a patented infrared writing device. This device allows users to communicate and mark surfaces in a way that is visible only through night vision equipment. The innovations of Battle Sight Technologies are deeply rooted in meeting the real-world needs of soldiers, first responders, and law enforcement officers.

The story of Battle Sight Technologies is one of dedication, ingenuity, and a commitment to those who serve on the front lines. By continually focusing on the development of practical, mission-critical products, Battle Sight Technologies aims to make the missions of the modern warfighter safer, simpler, and more lethal.

The Dayton Dragons and CYMl Holdings are honored to award Nick Ripplinger with the Dayton Dragons Dream Big Award, which recognizes impactful local entrepreneurs that are making the Dayton region a better place to live, work and play.

When local entrepreneurs Charlynda Scales, Dabriah Rice, and Jamaica White were connected through the Downtown Dayton Partnership the trio shared one very strong belief.. downtown Dayton has a desperate need for a shared commercial kitchen.

After four and a half years of hard work and determination, their dream became a reality when 6888 Kitchen Incubator opened its doors in March of 2024.

Honoring the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, also known as “Six Triple Eight”, the kitchen stands as a tribute to the battalion’s significant accomplishments during World War II, while serving as both a business incubator and a vital resource for aspiring food entrepreneurs.

With a recent soft opening featuring six commercial kitchen spaces, one bakery pod, and various amenities, 6888 Kitchen Incubator currently supports eight food-related enterprises. The founders envision hosting up to 25 businesses initially, with a potential expansion to accommodate up to 60. Supported by initiatives like OH Taste’s Sharpen the Axe program, which offers financial literacy and business coaching for food entrepreneurs, 6888 Kitchen Incubator aims to empower Daytonians to pursue their dreams of business ownership.

The Dayton Dragons and CYMI Holdings are honored to award Charlynda, Dabriah, and Jamaica with the Dayton Dragons Dream Big Award, which recognizes impactful local entrepreneurs that are making the Dayton region a better place to live and play.