The Wells County Chamber of Commerce staff and ambassadors are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to Lauren Markley, the new owner of Downtown DIY. To celebrate this exciting transition, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Downtown DIY, located at 211 West Market Street in Bluffton on Oct. 3.

Pictured from left to right are Kevin Pritchard of Ruoff Mortgage, Kevin Sills of Farm Bureau Insurance, Erica Lehman of Coldwell Banker-Holloway, Audry Dudley of Bluffton NOW!, Heather Morgan of National Oil & Gas, April Claghorn of Flagstar Bank, Jeremy Penrod of Edward Jones, Lauren Markley of Downtown DIY, Keith Muhlenkamp of First Merchants Bank, Seth Markley of Downtown DIY, Michael Lautzenheiser of Bluffton NOW!, and Wells County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Erin Prible. (Photo submitted)

Lauren Markley, a Bluffton native who returned to her beloved small town after years in Texas, has taken the helm of Downtown DIY. Her journey back to Bluffton was driven by a deep appreciation for the community’s tight-knit atmosphere. The dream of owning a downtown business has been a long-standing aspiration for Lauren, and when the opportunity to acquire Downtown DIY arose, she seized it without hesitation.

Downtown DIY specializes in offering instructional courses for creating custom signs and various DIY projects. These courses are perfect for team-building events, girls’ nights out, date nights, and offers options for men, including custom cornhole boards. Additionally, the venue provides a selection of beer and wine options to enhance your event experience.

The process is made convenient through their user-friendly online platform, where customers can choose from a wide array of customizable options. Once an order is placed online, Downtown DIY prepares the framing, stencil, and materials required for the session. While customers have the freedom to customize their creations beyond the online selections, the Downtown DIY team provides guidance every step of the way to ensure a fantastic end result. Session durations typically range from two to four hours, depending on the project’s complexity.

Downtown DIY encourages guests to book their sessions in advance, but they also offer open events that anyone can join. The variety of items available for customization include porch signs, porch flower boxes, trays, toy boxes, small tables, stools, lazy Susans, chairs, spice racks, shelves, and more. These items make excellent gifts for weddings, birthdays, and other special occasions. For those who prefer a hassle-free experience, Downtown DIY is happy to assemble projects on their behalf.

Lauren Markley is determined to contribute to the vibrancy of downtown Bluffton by providing a space for engaging and enjoyable activities. Her future plans include launching a summer program for kids, offering a range of projects for children to participate in throughout the week.

All of Downtown DIY’s offerings, events, and booking information can be found on their website at www.downtowndiy.com and their Facebook page. For inquiries, please contact Downtown DIY at 260-353-1141.

Join the excitement and connect with others at Downtown DIY’s workshops, private parties, DIY at Home Kits, or request custom projects, and be sure to keep an eye out for their special events that promise unforgettable experiences for all.