If the person regularly does business here, then it only makes sense to let the clients know they'll be away. Whether here is the best place to do that is open to argument. Some others just like to keep others in the loop I guess.

This place is a community (right?) so why not tell your friends that you're going on holiday, for a romantic weekend, or just need to unplug? I'm just anti-social so never post that kind of topic up. :P