Business

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Fans of Ten Thousand Villages in Bluffton asked manager Wendy Chappell-Dick for more information on Gyani Shova Shakya, the woman knitting in a recent PBS and Hometown Stations ad.

View a slightly longer mini documentary that includes more about her life HERE.

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As posted by OhioMeansJobs - Allen County

Are you an individual with 5 years’ experience in emergency medical services, possesses a paramedic certification, and has three years’ experience in operational management? The Village of Bluffton is looking to hire a qualified candidate as their new EMS Chief!

Apply Now! https://j.omjallen.com/kexl

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The Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce has issued this invitation: "It is time to vote for your favorite window displays and business decorations."

Go HERE to choose your favorite holiday decorations and click on the "Vote Here" button at the bottom. The page includes photos of entries by Randa Kinn.

2024 competition entries:

  • Bike Crazy LLC
  • Black Lab Trading Co.
  • Bluffton Foot and Ankle
  • Bluffton Senior Center
  • Book Reviews
  • CCR Realtors
  • Citizens National Bank
  • Curling Iron
  • Diller Flooring 
  • The Dough Hook
  • Edward Jones, Brandon Blackford
  • Edward Jones, Ryan DeMarco
  • Ellerbrock Spine & Soft Tissue
  • Et Cetera Shop
  • Family Eye Care Clinic
  • The Food Store
  • Fortman Insurance
  • Kira's Flipside Grill
  • Mercy Health
  • Polished-Boutique 415
  • Riechenbach & Steiner CPAs
  • Roots by Strattons
  • Samuel Diller Co., LPA
  • Shirley's Gourmet Popcorn Co.
  • Sielschott Walsh Kiefer Regula & Sherer 
  • Smith Realty
  • Spectrum Salon
  • Steiner & Grangers Ins. & Fin. 
  • Ten Thousand Villages
  • Town & Country Flowers
  • Twisted Whisk Cafe
  • Webb Insurance

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In this series, the Icon presents the Bluffton Beyond Tomorrow comprehensive plan in eight segments, which can be found in full on the Village of Bluffton website HERE. The Bluffton Public Library has two print copies.

Improving an Asset 
Downtown Bluffton has an economic presence of its own. A mix of retail, banks, financial consultants, insurance, restaurants, and retail shops line Main Street. The majority of residential units above downtown businesses are currently occupied and are in high demand. 

Bluffton is known locally as one of the most charming villages in Northwest Ohio. Its downtown storefronts boast a near 100% occupancy rate, unlike American municipalities ravaged by suburbanization that suffer from underdeveloped parcels with empty storefronts and vacant lots. Bluffton has retail space, a movie theater, restaurants, library, post office, grocery store, primary healthcare, and other professional services downtown, a rarity in small-town Ohio.   CONTINUES ▶︎

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The Allen Co. Agronomy Outlook is Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at the Allen Co Fairgrounds.

For Information, call 419-879-9108. Registration and additional information will be posted on https://www.facebook.com/allencountyextension/

Partial list of Presenters:

Barry Ward, OSU Extension - Crop Budgets and Tax Update

Bailey Elchinger, Stone X - Grain Market Outlooks

Brandon Kern, Ohio Soybean Council - Farm Policy Update

Stephanie Karhoff, OSU Extension- TBA

 

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Submitted by Et Cetera Inc.

Click to enlarge photo. L-R) Book Reviews:  Jim Enneking, Joyce Daniels, Danielle Hodges, Tim Byers, Lori Nester. Ten Thousand Villages: Jim Enneking, Lowell Hostetler, Wendy Chappell-Dick, Tim Byers, Lori Nester, Ray Raeburn.

On December 3, ribbon cuttings were held at Bluffton’s Ten Thousand Villages and Book Reviews Et Cetera as part of 50th anniversary celebrations by Et Cetera Inc., which is also the parent company of the Et Cetera thrift store.

Most noticeably, Ten Thousand Villages has a new awning on the 115 S Main St, Bluffton storefront. Also in 2024, the retailer also received a new floor, lighting, paint and signs. In the renovation process, a mural painted by Beth Boehr in 2000 was uncovered. The artwork shows a map marking the country of origin of many products, along with pictures showing the diversity of artisans who benefit from the sales at Ten Thousand Villages. The mural is now restored for shoppers to enjoy.

Book Reviews, 123 S Main St, has a new checkout counter, back room floor and kitchenette, and renovated bathroom and processing area. Volunteers painted the space with a new color scheme and artist Carolyn Hodges created a mural showing the fantasy world of books. 

These makeovers follow on the heels of a major facility project for the Et Cetera Shop, 327 N Main St. In 2018, Et Cetera Shop purchased the old glove factory on Main Street Bluffton. Over the next 12-14 months, the thrift store got a major upgrade, offering its customers a large boutique-style shopping experience. The renovation cost a total of $750,000. 

CONTINUES ▶︎

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