By Paula Pyzik Scott

The February 14 breakfast meeting of the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce spotlighted the following local businesses in addition to member announcements.

Luvu A Latte, 851 State Route 103, provided breakfast of biscuits and gravy and donut-fruit skewers.

Breakfast sponsor Stratton Greenhouses and Roots by Strattons introduced the 2025 Bluffton Beautification program, which provides and maintains flower pots and hanging baskets in the downtown area. Susie Stratton and Dan Stratton detailed the work that goes into the project, including over 200 hours of labor and 30,000 gallons of water. The Strattons explained a new wrap-around basket liner for the suspended flower that will require less watering and help deal with coconut-fiber liner delivery challenges.

Visit Roots by Strattons, 111 S Main St., for information on sponsorship opportunities or submit the sponsorship form HERE.

PROGRAM

Derek Dukes, who co-owns Southgate Lanes with Brandon Falk, provided a program on how that business has changed since they purchased it in 2020.

READ MORE

The 10-lane facility was owned by the Dailey family for 60 years. Dukes began working there more than 20 years ago and began managing the business in 2014. Dukes and Falk became owners at perhaps the most difficult time you can imagine, at the start of the Covid pandemic. 

Dukes described expanding the business with a lighted sand volleyball court and patio seating with the help of other local businesses that went out of their way to make the projects bigger and more affordable than Dukes would have thought possible. He described doing five weeks of carryout food and people coming to buy gift certificates just to support the business.

The bowling alley has become a venue for live music, serves food and craft beer, and has a very busy pro shop featuring Storm products.

2024 by the numbers

• $100K raised by community fundraisers
• An average of 450 league bowlers/week
• A junior bowling league with 96 participants
• 1,240 bowling balls serviced
• 604K bowling balls thrown

When asked, Dukes couldn’t say how many customers come through the door who don’t bowl. During Q&A, Wendy Chappell-Dick said she wasn’t a bowler–but Dukes countered that if you have ever rolled a ball, you ARE a bowler.

Most league bowlers at Southgate Lanes come from within a 45-minute drive time radius, according to Dukes. Tournaments will draw bowlers from as far as Toledo and Columbus. Upcoming tournaments include

11th annual Grind Doubles - March 15

14th Annual Singles Eliminator - March 28

42nd annual House Singles Classic - April 6