A new establishment serving wine and small bites is coming to downtown Dayton’s Fire Blocks District at 117 E Third St. When it opens, Joui will have a dedicated space for retail wine sales, as well as an area for consuming wine, spirits and food on site. Joui’s owner Lauren Gay tells What Now Columbus that the tentative timeline for opening is this fall.
The inspiration for Joui stems from Gay’s passion for wine and 20 year background in the hospitality industry. Gay is a Dayton native and after spending time traveling and living on the west coast, she returned home and landed a wine director position at Tender Mercy as well as serving as a manager and wine director at Sueno, both in Dayton.
“I gained the confidence, knowledge and skills to open a business by learning how to manage a business,” she said of her time at the businesses.
Gay admits her time at those businesses has been invaluable, but she’s always known opening her own business was something she would do one day, when the time was right. That time and location presented itself when she signed the lease on the space at the Fire Blocks District last fall. The interior buildout is scheduled to begin this month and Gay shared that the aesthetic will take advantage of the space’s tall windows and natural light, as well as incorporate pops of color with murals and inspiration from 60s psychedelic art.
Although the major focus will be on wine through flights, curated wine tastings and a wine club, Joui will also feature a 14 foot bar, which will serve basic cocktails. In addition to wine and cocktails, Joui will offer small bites like salads, charcuterie and sandwiches.
