Summary
On Saturday morning, April 26, 2025, Applebee’s Grill and Bar at 105 North Springboro Pike in Miamisburg was forced to close after its exterior was vandalized with red spray-painted swastikas and antisemitic slurs, marking yet another alarming incident in a nationwide surge of Jew-hatred. The graffiti, which included the messages “F— Jews,” “Jews work here,” and a prominent swastika, went viral on social media thanks to images shared by resident April Dunn. Municipal authorities have launched a criminal investigation, while Jewish and civic leaders have condemned the attack in the strongest possible terms and called for unity and accountability.
The Attack
On Saturday, April 26, at approximately 7:52 a.m., the morning shift manager arrived at Applebee’s and discovered red spray paint tagging the east and south sides of the building with vile antisemitic imagery and slogans. Among the daubings were multiple swastikas and explicit hate messages directed at Jews, including “F— Jews” on a window and “Jews work here” on the brick façade. A sign taped to the front door announced: “Due to vandalism, we will remain closed until further notice,” leaving customers to confront the stark reality of Jew-hatred in their community.
Community Response
“This is absolutely disgusting,” wrote April Dunn when she first shared her photos in the West Carrollton Talk Facebook group, where they quickly garnered widespread attention and outrage. Cathy Gardner, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton, expressed horror that such blatant Nazi symbolism had appeared in Dayton on the eve of Holocaust Remembrance Day. “To see this in Dayton is so frightening,” she said. “After the Holocaust, when we said ‘Never forget,’ this is a time when we must never forget.”
Rodney Conant, president of operations for Applebee’s and Casual Dining, issued a forceful statement: “We have no tolerance for discrimination of any kind at Applebee’s and are deeply saddened by the vandalism that occurred at our Miamisburg restaurant,” he said, pledging full cooperation with law enforcement and assuring that guest and team member safety remained paramount. John Peyton, CEO of Dine Brands and interim president of Applebee’s, added, “We are disgusted by, and condemn, the vandalism … There is no place for antisemitic—or any form of—hate speech in our neighborhoods.”
Investigation and Accountability
Miamisburg police responded to the scene and opened a criminal investigation, but early efforts to identify suspects via surveillance cameras proved fruitless. Communications manager Ken Jarosik confirmed that no arrests have been made, though investigators are actively pursuing leads. By mid-afternoon, crews had power-washed the remaining swastika from the brick veneer, and the restaurant’s doors remained boarded until Sunday.
Broader Context
This act of vandalism comes amid an 893 percent rise in antisemitic incidents across the United States over the past decade, according to the Anti-Defamation League, underscoring a troubling national trend of emboldened Jew-hatred. Jewish communities nationwide have reported escalating threats, harassment, and property damage at colleges, synagogues, and businesses since early 2024.
Moving Forward
Applebee’s in Miamisburg reopened its doors on Sunday, April 27, at 11 a.m., resuming normal operations under heightened security and community support. Local Jewish and interfaith leaders have announced a solidarity vigil at Temple Beth Or next week, calling on residents to stand against hate and reaffirm that Jew-hatred will never be tolerated in Miamisburg or beyond.
In the face of this kerfuffle, one thing remains clear: vigilant remembrance and unwavering solidarity are the strongest defenses against the resurgence of the hateful ideologies that nearly consumed our people eight decades ago.