6888 Kitchen Incubator Helps Food Businesses Flourish in Dayton

I had a chance to take a tour of 6888 Kitchen Incubator in downtown Dayton at the Dayton Arcade (and yes, it smelled AMAZING). With over two years under its belt, this organization is working on Phase II of development and there are some exciting surprises in store.

What is 6888 Kitchen Incubator?

One common misconception is that 6888 Kitchen Incubator is a food hall or a restaurant. 6888 Kitchen Incubator is a nonprofit shared commercial kitchen that helps local food-based businesses take the next steps needed to grow from home kitchens. They offer training and other support for emerging food entrepreneurs in Dayton and beyond.

Their mission: “To provide underrepresented food entrepreneurs with the tools, community, and space to grow their businesses, advancing food equity and economic mobility in marginalized communities.”

This organization gives entrepreneurs a chance to bring their vision to life without spending $100K on building a commercial kitchen for themselves. And it’s paying off – member businesses have already earned a combined $720K in revenue.

Phase II and Beyond

In Phase I, 6888 Kitchen Incubator set up space for entrepreneurs to grow their food businesses, however they were surprised with the number of food service businesses that applied for memberships.

Many of these food service businesses are “ghost kitchens” – virtual restaurants that offer pick up and/or delivery service only. With much of the space set up for food entrepreneurs to create large batches of just a few products, the food service members with variable menus have necessitated a pivot from the original plans, including how to approach Phase II.

By January 2027, Phase II will be completed, including large pod spaces for food service, a dedicated retail space for grab-and-go convenience, and space for catering services. The catering space will double as a classroom environment for holding educational events. There will also be more space allocated for storage than was previously planned.

In Phase III, the basement will get cold storage as well as a lounge for members. However, there’s no telling what could be needed by that point. The organization is dedicated to this business community and will continue to pivot to best serve the needs of the market.

From Scratch Food Summit

In September 2026, 6888 Kitchen Incubator hosted the From Scratch Food Summit, Dayton’s first event dedicated entirely to local food entrepreneurs that brought together over 100 attendees, sponsors, and expert panelists to the Dayton Arcade.

Entrepreneurs had the chance to gain exposure to retailers, with one member now offering their products at Dot’s Market.

The Details

Have a food business that’s ready to grow? Learn more about becoming a member of 6888.

Support the 6888 mission by making a donation – it’s an investment in the next generation of food businesses in Dayton.

6888 Kitchen Incubator
32 S Ludlow St, Dayton, Ohio
(937) 203-0808
support@ohtaste.org