Retail and experience-based businesses added to downtown Bluffton
By Marlena Ballinger
Becky Avila is the owner of a newly renovated building located at 105 E. Elm Street which houses three new businesses: Avila’s boutique Fusion Designs on Elm and Rage in the Alley and tenant Bluffton Art Company.
Avila, along with her partner Lee Bowman, has fulfilled her lifelong dream of opening and operating a boutique. What started as playing “store” as a kid and led to pop-up shops held in the club house of Bluffton Golf Club, has now turned into a thriving downtown business.
Avila’s business has more ties to local entrepreneurs than one may imagine. When you meet her, you’ll recognize her as the receptionist at Spectrum Salon, owned by Mandy Kinn of Bluffton.
The June 13 Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting gave guests an opportunity to meet new EMS Chief Noah Babcock, catch up with Chamber activities such as fundraising for the August 5 fireworks and hear a smattering of planned and impromptu announcements from attendees. Meeting take-aways included:
CHAMBER
Director Jim Enneking encouraged members to post calendars and Facebook items online and to directly add items to the chamber calendar HERE.
JUNE 14 RIDE TO REMEMBER ANNOUNCEMENT__We have some great sponsors! Thank you for helping to make this year's ride a reality!
For more information on the July 12 event, an in-person ride that takes cyclists through the Village of Bluffton, Ohio, and the scenic surrounding countryside, with routes passing through Gilboa, Ottawa, Rawson, and other nearby towns, visit www.ridetoremember.net/
The following nine land transfers took place in the Bluffton Exempted Village School District in December 2023 as reported on the website of Allen County Auditor Rachael S. Gilroy.
Address - Sale Date - Sale Price - Land Use
BEAVERDAM
205 Prospect St - 5/7/2025 - $141,200.00 - Single Family Dwelling - From Rse Rentals LLC To Premier Equipment & Contracting LLC
Ropp Triplett Business Plan Competition rewarded regional startup talent and innovation
MAY 30 MEDIA RELEASE__The Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs (BCE) is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Ropp Triplett Business Plan Competition, held on April 29. The annual competition highlights emerging entrepreneurs from across the region, showcasing their creativity, commitment, and potential for long-term impact.
