Two new restaurants and a new fuel mart in Dayton

DAYTON-New businesses opening in Dayton, despite the coronavirus slow-down, is a testament to a community that will step up and help each other. It also says a lot about the pluck and determination of three entrepreneurs who are opening or have just opened businesses in town

The new owners of the Weinhard Hotel, at 229 East Main Street, are open to hotel traffic and have opened their new cafe, Jacob's Public House.

"I love people, food, and hospitality," said Christina Dingman, who along with her partner Sev Jones are the new proprietors of the hotel. "I love how welcoming, helpful and friendly the community is."

Dingman said Jones had passed through Dayton years ago and fell in love with the area. They felt purchasing the hotel was an opportunity not to be missed.

Since acquiring the property in March, the couple has made changes to the espresso bar by enlarging the seating area and attaining a liquor license to create the Jacob's Public House. They are also completing the updates to the hotel, getting rooms ready for occupancy, as well as making other finishing touches.

Dingman is optimistic about the hotel's future looking forward to when people start venturing back into the community."

The hotel cafe is open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Early birds will be happy to see a variety of baked goods, coffee, tea, and espresso.

People should also be pleased with the menu which features green, roasted beet and Mediterranean salads, street tacos, and charcuterie boards.

Dingman said they are serving local wine from Dumas Station and L'Ecole Winery, and beer from the Post Falls Brewing Co., which will add variety to the great beer selections already in the local area.

Alicia Walker concurs with Dingman about the fantastic support business owners receive from the community at large, and the beauty of living in Dayton.

"It's just a Norman Rockwell-esque place to raise kids," she said.

Walker, the former proprietor of the Noble Hunt, has opened Locally Nourished, at 217 East Main Street, two doors down from the Weinhard Hotel.

Walker intended to open her new cafe before the coronavirus slow-down but decided to wait until things opened up a bit.

It is a family affair. Last week she was bustling about at the café with help from her mother, Terrisa, making sure customers are satisfied.

Walker is part of a family who believe food quality is important. Her sister Melissa Weatherford has been a past Blue Mountain Station Co-op Market manager, creating delicious soups and breads. Walker's parents were the proprietors of Little Dipper Dairy, a local goat farm.

The new restaurant offers pastries, espresso, smoothies, and various seasonal options for breakfast and lunch.

Locally Nourished is open at 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

To the west of town, at 401 West Main Street, formerly the Shell gas station, customers will be able to purchase gas and eat great fried and broasted chicken from the in-house deli when Pelican Fuel Mart opens in mid-summer.

The gas station has been purchased by Dan Hatch, owner of the first Pelican Fuel Mart on East Isaacs Street in Walla Walla and will be managed by Tim Dewald.

Dewald is excited by the project as he is currently overseeing the building renovation.

He said the plan is to convert the auto repair part of the building for use as a deli counter, with room for a soda fountain, coffee station, beer and pop coolers, and the point of sales kiosk. The former food mart will be converted into the business office.

Dewald explained the company philosophy, "We know it's an essential service. We know it's a competitive business, but we just like what we bring to the table. We are not your average convenience store. We're more centered, not on how much money we can make and how much volume we can perform, but just being an old school corner store, where people can come and hang out, and we know people by name."

Dewald said owner, Dan Hatch, wants to make sure employees are well compensated and the company takes part in local community activities.

A veteran himself, Dewald said veterans are being given hiring preference.

Pelican Fuel Mart, LLC is an equal opportunity employer in the broadest sense of the word.

"We give a lot of second chances to employees, some from adverse situations," he said.

When doors open customers will have access to diesel fuel, nonethanol and super unleaded gas, as well as propane. There will also be an RV dump on site.