The Mason community buzzed with anticipation as Dorothy Lane Market (DLM) rose brick by brick along Mason-Montgomery Road. The wait ended in mid-August, when neighbors lined the sidewalk, eager to see what the family-run grocer would bring to town. Inside, shoppers discovered much more than a grocery store—it was a culinary experience from the moment they entered.
“I heard so much about it and I couldn’t wait to get inside,” says Mason resident Jill Council, who walked over from her neighborhood to be among the first in line. “I drove by every day waiting for it.”
That sense of excitement isn’t new to loyal DLM customers. The locally-owned grocer has been part of Dayton’s food culture since 1948. Calvin D. Mayne ran the store for many years alongside his wife, Vera Jane Mayne, who later served as DLM’s longtime president. Today, DLM is still locally owned and operated by descendants of Calvin D. and Vera. With the addition of the fourth store in Mason, their original vision has evolved into a remarkable place where shopping feels like an experience and commitment to quality can be tasted at every counter.
“We wanted this building to feel like a European marketplace,” explains Calvin Mayne, Dorothy Lane Market CEO. “As you look around, you’ll see that we love food. We love to feed people good food and everything we do is about quality.”
That quality is clear from the start. Pizza crafted to rival Naples right when you walk in, sourdough bread baked hot in German ovens, sushi prepared with pristine cuts of fish, mashed potatoes that taste like home—each stop in the store feels like an invitation to linger and enjoy.
DLM added some firsts in Mason including a poke station, a juice bar and a French rotisserie where golden chickens turn slowly on spits. “This store has all the new toys,” Calvin says with a smile. “It’s everything we’ve dreamed about doing for years.”
And then there’s the produce. With roots in the wholesale produce markets of the 1930s and 40s before the original DLM was founded, fruits and vegetables are treated as a point of pride. “It’s not just visually pleasing,” Calvin tells us. “We test everything for flavor. It’s our foundation.”
That commitment is evident at the seafood and meat counters. DLM works directly with fishing families and farms across the world to bring in the top tier of fresh seafood. The meat department also reflects a deep dedication to doing things differently. Shoppers will find a Himalayan salt-lined beef aging room—an experience usually reserved for fine steakhouses—and proteins raised without antibiotics or growth hormones. “It’s the way meat was raised 100 years ago,” Calvin shares. “Better for you and better tasting.”
The Mason store also celebrates the community’s global flavor. A section called The Mosaic highlights international and ethnic foods, from Greek olive oils and Indian spices to locally made Italian sauces. “Mason is a mosaic,” Calvin notes, referencing the city’s diversity. “We wanted this store to reflect that.”
Upstairs, the 9,000-square-foot mezzanine invites customers to stay awhile. With a Culinary Center for classes and events, a wine bar and patios that overlook either the sunset or the market below, the space blends shopping with gathering.
“Wine should be part of the dinner table,” says Vice President Todd Templin. “It’s just another ingredient of a great meal.” To ensure customers feel at home choosing a bottle, DLM invests in staff education, sending employees to Napa, France or Italy. “We want them to have that connection, to be able to say, ‘I’ve been to this winery,’ or ‘I’ve met this winemaker,’” Todd explains. “It makes the wine come alive for our customers.”
From approachable everyday bottles to collector-worthy labels, the wine cellar offers something for everyone. Regular tastings and events further weave DLM into Mason’s social and culinary life.
Those familiar with DLM’s style and offerings are eager to make it part of their routines.
“My husband loves it,” shares Mason resident Laura Deardorff, recalling trips to the Springboro location. “He’ll get a beer, walk around with his drink and pick out his steak for the night. Where else can you do that?”
Choosing Mason was about more than geography. “Mason perfectly fit what we were looking for, which is a shared interest in quality food and life. We wanted to add to that,” says Calvin.
As doors open on this new chapter, it’s clear the partnership between DLM and Mason is about more than groceries—it’s about creating a place where food, family and community meet. With the smell of warm bread drifting through the air and the buzz of neighbors discovering something new, Dorothy Lane Market has already begun to do just that.
To find out more about Dorothy Lane Market and sign up for Club DLM, the grocer’s free loyalty program, head to DorothyLane.com.