Dayton to Lose Grocery Store as Riverside Market Prepares to Close

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that City Administrator Michael Giffen did not respond to a request for comment via email last week. That was not correct. Giffen did respond, but the message was overlooked by RCN. The story is now updated with a comment from Giffen. RCN apologizes for and regrets the error.

The only supermarket in Dayton appears to be scaling down and closing its doors, reportedly becoming more focused on its liquor and pharmacy business.

Riverside Marketplace on Sixth Avenue has been the subject of closure rumors for weeks.

In Dayton-related social media groups, comments have been sympathetic about the closure but also critical of the products at the store as well as their prices, while complimentary of Riverside’s donuts and meats.

The business and building sold a year ago, with the property, according to Campbell County property records, selling for $1.03 million. Two other local Marketplace-branded groceries, in Ludlow and the small Campbell County city of California, are still owned by the previous owners of the Dayton location.

City Administrator Michael Giffen told The River City News that the city is involved in finding a solution for the store.

“We have been working closely with the property owners and another interested party and are hopeful the store will remain open,” Giffen said in a statement to RCN.

Mayor Ben Baker, contacted by phone on Tuesday, declined to comment.

With the possible closure of Riverside, the nearest supermarket would be the Kroger location in neighboring Bellevue, roughly a mile away from central Dayton. Two miles away is another Kroger location in Newport.

This story may be updated.

-Michael Monks, editor & publisher

Photo via Campbell County PVA