Meadowlark and Wheat Penny Team to Open "Little Bear" – A Vibrant New Brunch Spot Coming to Wayne Avenue

By Alexis Larsen, Dine Out Dayton Correspondent, June 5, 2025

Dayton’s dining scene is about to get a flavorful jolt this fall as the powerhouse team behind beloved local restaurants Meadowlark and Wheat Penny Oven & Bar announces the opening of their latest concept: Little Bear — a community-minded brunch and sandwich spot set to open later this year in the historic Dietz Block building at 521 Wayne Avenue.

Co-owners Liz Valenti and Dave Rawson are no strangers to raising the bar on Dayton dining, and with Little Bear, they’re doubling down on everything they love most: brunch, world-inspired sandwiches, a warm welcome and vibrant neighborhood energy.

Photo above: Chef Liz Valenti with the Gows

Little Bear will spotlight globally inspired sandwiches — think Banh Mi, Croque Madame, Po’ Boys, Shawarma, and Cubanos — plus elevated brunch staples the two original restaurants have become known for like shrimp and grits, pizza dough cinnamon rolls, smoked salmon Benedict, and bloody Marys with housemade mix. Whether guests are dining in a cozy booth, grabbing a bagel and espresso to go, or meeting friends for brunch gondolas and cocktails, the vibe will be intentional, playful, and deeply welcoming.

A Historic Space, A New Neighborhood Anchor

Little Bear will call the beautifully preserved Dietz Block building, currently being lovingly restored by Burgess and Jeanine Gow, home. The Gows investment in the space and commitment to neighborhood revitalization were a key motivator for the project.

“The moment I met Burgess and Jeanine, I knew this had to happen,” said Valenti. “Their passion is contagious, and their support—combined with help from CityWide’s First Floor Fund—turned this from a dream into reality.”

The location, directly next to Wheat Penny, will offer synergy and new energy for Wayne Avenue. The Gows and Valenti believe this corner of Dayton is a natural connector between the Oregon District and other neighborhood gems further up Wayne Avenue like Wholly Grounds, Ghostlight Coffee, Silver Slipper and Branch & Bone.

While the official opening is tentatively planned for early fall pending final city approvals, Little Bear will start building buzz with pop-up events, cooking classes, and a presence at the Oregon District’s yard sale on June 14, where Good Hands Bread Co. owner Andrew Fisher will also preview his upcoming food concept within the same building.

“We want this space to live beyond restaurant hours,” said Valenti. “Our open area will host private dinners, community events, nonprofit fundraisers, cooking classes — whatever our neighbors need. We want to share this with the community.”

Design highlights will include a cozy front-window booth, multipurpose community space in the back, and a logo brimming with love and whimsy that captures Valenti’s beloved dog, Little Bear.

Photo above: Chef Liz Valenti with Little Bear

A Taste of What’s to Come

While the menu is still in development, guests can expect Meadowlark and Wheat Penny favorites along with introducing plenty of new recipes to the menu.

“Both Wheat Penny and Meadowlark have brunch and lunch in their DNA — we love the food, the cocktails, the music, the energy,” said Valenti. “I hope that both Little Bear and the other businesses in the Dietz Block Building become an anchor and mainstay for our neighborhood. I would love for Little Bear to not only be a breakfast destination during the hours that the restaurant is open, but for the space to be a community attraction as a cooking class center and event space when we are not open.”

Little Bear will aim to be a welcoming stop for commuters and neighborhood regulars alike offering grab-and-go meals, quick pickups, and heartfelt hospitality at every turn.

Photo above: Chef Liz Valenti inside the new space on Wayne Ave.

Dine Out Dayton will have more updates, pop-up announcements, and a full menu preview as Little Bear prepares to bring something bold, bright, and beautifully brunchy to downtown Dayton creating a new destination where brunch dreams, sandwich obsessions, and community connections are all on the menu.

Alexis Larsen is the Miami Valley Restaurant Association‘s Dine Out Dayton Correspondent and is The Dayton Dish food columnist for the Dayton Business Journal. Stay tuned for more articles from Larsen who has been covering local restaurants and food and dining for more than two decades. When she’s not out dining and writing on nights and weekends Larsen serves as the Chief of Philanthropy for Five Rivers MetroParks.