Enjoy

 Bluffton

On I-75 between exits 140 [S Bentley Rd.] & 142 [SR 103/ Navajo Rd.]. Go west to Main Street [Old North Dixie Highway]. Downtown Bluffton lies between the two exits. Parking is on Main and ½ block off Main on the East side.

The Village of Bluffton

The Village of Bluffton is a confluence of a University Town, a residential retreat, a clean downtown, and a proud business climate. This has created our inviting downtown business area, our entertainment and relaxation choices, with “quality of life” written all over them.

Whether you are drawn to Bluffton for “that special Quilt”, “that Plush Critter”, to add a decorator touch to your home,  to add to your scrap-booking supplies, or to fill that empty corner of a room, there is much more to do and take in while in Bluffton. This is a partial list of locations and activities for you to enjoy. So, come, bring others, or come back and join us when you have the time.

Shops

Our “Unique Boutiques” are shops with character. These are not our only stores, as we have everything you need: medical services, financial services, appliance stores, hardware stores, grocery stores, a meat market, auto repair, and others that are part of daily life.

Forever In Stitches, 120 N. Main:

Known as “Your full service quilt shop™ and “The Destination Quilt Shop””. It has over 3,000 square feet of quilting: more than 3,000 bolts of  fabric, 6,000 fat quarters, notions, supplies, books, patterns, magazines, classes, and quilting services on Gammill™ Statler Stitcher™ automated long-arm quilting machines. There is a kids’ Activity Corner as well as well lighted reading areas. Come on in and we’ll help you coordinate fabrics, discuss quilting desires, or just talk about our passion for quilting.

Greg’s Pharmacy, 126 N. Main:

Greg’s goes beyond being a drug store with your personal pharmacist. They also have a premium film and digital photo processing lab in-house with one hour service. It is a well organized, well lit, welcome place for those other things of quality: extensive scrapbooking supplies & classes, Precious Moments™ collections, cosmetics, cards, gifts, snacks, natural vitamins & supplements, and, of course, prescription and OTC pharmaceuticals.

Groves Bears, 204 N. Main:

A shop of enchantment. It is uniquely known as the “Bear Store” in both here and in surrounding states. This is a destination in its own right as it is Ohio's Largest Teddy Bear Store. This is a temporary home to over 6,500 bears on display, as well as a huge selection of many other critters in plush surroundings. Choose from Steiff, Merrythought, Cooperstown, Hermann, NABCO,  Boyds, Gund, Russ, artist pieces, dolls, and so much more!

Black Lab Trading Company, 121 N. Main St.

A must see for lab lovers! But this is not a dog store. It is a one of a kind store best described as “an old fashioned department store” with a bit of everything for everybody, featuring a large selection of primitive and country home décor, children’s clothing, furniture, primitives, Watkins, Groovy Girls Dolls™, and specialties for Lab lovers…. .

The Little Red Barn, 113 N. Main:

A warm and comfortable florist with cut, live, and silk flowers and plants along with  balloons, tapestries, candles, home decorating items, and many other gifts.

Town & Country Flowers, 121 S. Main:

A unique store where antiques and collectibles are combined with local artisan’s wares. Over 30 independent collectors display their wares at any one time, presenting a continually changing array of collections.

Ten Thousand Villages, 111 S. Main:

This is a “one-of-a-kind”  place! Uncompromising quality arts, crafts & gifts from around the world. They require that their artisans are paid a fair wage, have good working conditions, and produce ecologically-friendly products. The goods range from ancient artisan products to products created from modern needs. This is a shop you will never forget and it will spark learning that will stay with you.

The Food Store, 103 S. Main: The food store that defies being labeled! This is a an organic and natural food store that attracts customers from a wide radius and is recommended by doctors. Their specialty is for restricted, sensitive, and special diet products.

Apple Lane Antiques, 9175 Dixie Highway: This is a quaint country shop where you can deal one-on-one with the dealer for antiques, primitives, cottage furniture and folk art.

Senior Citizens Center, 132 N. Main: Locally made gifts, crafts and quilts.

Et Cetera Shop, 111 S. Main Street: Quality resale items of all sorts. A wonderful place to stop and visit. It grows on you and can be quite habit forming.

Book Reviews, Et Cetera, 141 N. Main: New and used books of all types.

Springfield Fireworks-n-Pottery, 490 SR 103:  Not quite as specialized as you may think: also souvenirs, gifts, south-west collectibles, boots, shoes, moccasins, garden decorations. Host of the Ripplefest concerts.

Things to Do

Shannon Theatre, 119 S. Main: Why take out a loan to see a first run movie? $3 adult / $2 child tickets! Snack bar special of $4 for a large buttered popcorn and two large drinks! “Big Screen” & digital theater sound! www.ShannonTheatre.com.

Bluffton University, 1 University Drive: A truly beautiful educational setting. There are many points and activities of interest, including: the nature preserve, swinging bridge, Yoder Recital Hall, The Lion and Lamb Peace Arts Center, Founders Hall, Sauder Visual Arts Center, plays, musicals, lectures, concerts, readings, recitals, exhibits, artist series, galleries, and sports events. Check their current event at www.bluffton.edu/arts/.

Community Pool, 2050 Snider: The pool is open Memorial Day to Labor Day with a water slide…great fun for the family. $3 per person with family and other passes available.

Bluffton Recreation Center, 215 Snider: Recreation and sports opportunities for all ages. Pre-schoolers, youth, teens, adults and seniors will find fun and fitness.

Bike Path: a wonderful ride through the area. The Depot is a good starting place.

Bluffton Golf Club, 8575 Dixie Highway:  18 hole, par 72, driving range, pro shop, and snack bar.

Southgate Lanes, 9700 Dixie Highway: Bowling for the family. They have bumpers available on all lanes for kids. Open mid-August through mid-May.

Park & Soccer Field, on {Hancock} County Line Road just over I-75.

Bluffton Mural by Oscar Velasquez on Groves Bears’ south side.

Places to Stay

The Lamplight Inn,  321 South Main: A B&B built in the 1890’s and beautifully maintained and furnished with antiques. You need to make reservations for each of the two rooms! 419-358-0358

Twin Lakes Park, 3506 Township Road 34: Exit SR 235 South off I-75; Great for those who travel with their RV, camp, or want to stay in log cabins.

Comfort Inn, 117 Commerce: A clean modern hotel with indoor pool facilities.

The Knights Inn, I-75 at exit #142: A clean, modern, inexpensive national chain.

Places to Eat

Common Grounds, 101 S Main: An uncommon coffeehouse and café where you can always pick up a homemade soup, sandwich,  Panini, salads, beverages, pastries, Dietsch Brothers’ ice cream, and, of course, a specialty [or plain] coffee.

The Willows Café, 112 Vine Street: Excellent breakfasts, lunch, and deserts with a tasty European touch. Daily specials.

Bluffton Dari Freeze, 595 S. Main at I-75 exit 140: Great for whippy-dips or frosties along with grill items in endless variation. An extensive diabetic menu is also available. This is a gathering place.

Fast Food Heaven, just of I-75 at exit 142 [SR 103]:  You can drive from one fast-food restaurant to the next, satisfying everyone’s unique likes in one big arc! Arby’s, Burger King, Subway, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell, McDonalds.

Annual Events

Bluffton College May Day & four-mile run First Saturday in May. Refer to www.Bluffton.edu to seen the many events hosted throughout the year.

Bluffton Sportsmen’s Club Trout Fishing Derby First Sunday in May.

Farmer’s Market, Saturday mornings starting at 9:00 a.m. to noon. May through October 30.

Bluffton Arts and Crafts Festival third Saturday in May

Festival of Wheels third Friday in June.

Swiss Day Program fourth Sunday in June.

Fall Festival The last Saturday in September: Swiss Homestead, Mennonite Memorial Home, & Downtown Businesses celebrate with crafts, wagon rides, demonstrations, quilt show, music & merriment.

Blaze of Lights Saturday after Thanksgiving to January 1.

Community Messiah at Bluffton College performance in December rehearsals start earlier.