Business

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Lauren Samuel, a Bluffton area Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, didn’t ever expect to start her own business but knew that she wanted to do one-on-one counseling. “I got my first job at WIC and I’m still working there part-time,”she explains. However, it was clear to her: “If I want to do my dream job as a dietician, I’m going to have to start my own business.”

That business is Embrace Mind & Body Wellness LLC, which she created in 2020. In addition to providing general nutrition guidance, Samuel helps clients adopt more intuitive eating practices and shows women how to manage the symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) through diet.

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The traveling trophy for best holiday business decorations in downtown Bluffton has been awarded to Spectrum Salon, 422 N. Main St. Owner Mandy Kinn received the award from Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce board member Lauren Beasley of Citizens National Bank.

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The Etcetera Shop, 327 N Main, has issued a seriously good calendar for serious shoppers.

The nonprofit thrift store is primarily staffed by volunteers and has limited hours. On Monday, Wednsday and Friday, the store is open from 1-5 p.m. Donations are received at the back entrance on 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays.

The shop will be closed for both shopping and donations from December 23-31.

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Bluffton has extra holiday shopping opportunities with additional hours posted at the Bluffton Senior Center, Roots by Strattons and Twisted Whisk Cafe.

The Bluffton Senior Center, 132 N Main St.,  is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. until Christmas.

Roots by Strattons, 111 S. Main St., is open until 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Twisted Whisk Cafe, 101 S. Main St., is open from 2-5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 5 with a Pop-Up Shop featuring allergy friendly treats, cups, cards, soaps, candles, ornaments and wooden Santa figures.

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Following November "shopping holidays," Elder Victim Ministry has coordinated a December 1 "Credit Check Wednesday" program. Individuals can go to participating financial institutions to access their credit report for free.

“In working with identity theft or scam victims, we’ve observed that most have not checked their credit report,” said Elysia Bush, Director of Elder Victim Ministry (EVM), a program of Crime Victim Services. According to the Federal Trade Commission, it’s important to check your credit report to guard against fraud and identity theft. 

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UPDATE: Et Cetera Shop will have extended hours, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., on Saturday, Nov. 27.

Saturday, November 27 is Small Business Saturday, a “shopping holiday” that supports local businesses. In a village the size of Bluffton, you might say every day is “shop small” day. But it’s still a great time to say “thank you for being here” to our local merchants and to enjoy the Blaze of Lights festival.

Many shops will be open later than usual for the Blaze of Lights. Some note that they’ll stay open “as long as there are shoppers!” (noted here with “?”).

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