Support Us Button Widget

Business

The front of a newly opened Publix, decorated with green and white balloon columns and silver "WELCOME" balloons for its grand opening.
Business
Lake Miriam Square Publix is now open
The rebuilt store includes 55,701 sqft of space for shopping, dining, and relaxing. Scroll through photos from opening day.
November 13, 2025 02:39 PM
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The exterior of a white and black building on North Massachusetts Avenue in Lakeland. A sign reads "The Yard on Mass."
Real Estate
What should come next to the former Yard on Mass space?
The City of Lakeland’s Community Redevelopment Agency is on the hunt for the next tenant to take over the space on North Massachusetts Avenue.
August 30, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
The exterior of a coffee shop is shown. In the foreground, a cup is holding an iced latte.
Business
Drink coffee + support foster care at ECHO Coffee House in Winter Haven
Learn how this coffee shop is helping a Lakeland-based nonprofit in its mission to support children in foster care.
August 28, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
The exterior of the former Sears store entrance. The Sears logo is faded into the building, and a "For Lease" sign is up.
Real Estate
What do you want to see in the former Sears building?
After plans for apartments fell to the back burner, owners are on the hunt for businesses interested in leasing the space.
August 23, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
i-rMncH9K-X2
City
Breaking down Lakeland’s 2024 Demographic Guide, by the numbers
Learn about the city’s demographic guide + why it’s a valuable resource for Lakelanders.
August 22, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
An exterior render of the new Bank of Central Florida TBAY location.
Sponsored
💸 Doors officially open at Bank of Central Florida’s new location
Sponsored by
A Buc-ee's store facade with cars in front and a blue sky behind it.
Development
Should Buc-ees build in Polk County?
Based on research out of Polk State College, Polk County could be the perfect spot for the fan-favorite gas station franchise — but do our readers agree?
August 16, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A winding road in Lakeland on a sunny day.
Sponsored
Ask an expert: Should young drivers get separate insurance policies?
We’re tackling the age-old question of whether the youngest roadsters in the family should start on their own policy.
Sponsored by
Three people stand in front of a boat on dry land, two are shaking hands.
Sponsored
Riding waves of growth with Bank of Central Florida
Sponsored by
Posters showing illustrations of Avelo's new destinations sit on easels.
Travel and Outdoors
See Avelo Airlines’ 7 new destinations from Lakeland coming this fall
You can soon hop a flight from LAL to major cities in the south, New England, and even abroad.
July 24, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A black and white image of the inside of a mall featuring a store with the words "Jean Nicole" in cursive above the store's entrance. Four people walk in different directions on the right side of the hallway. A set of plants is in the center of the hallway outside of the store.
Culture
Dead malls: You could shop... until they dropped
Once booming, now barren. Let’s take a peek at malls of Lakeland’s past — plus hope for the future.
July 24, 2024
 · 
Brianna Williams
Load More
The Buy

Shop The Buy
Latest News
More from LALtoday
1970s photo of Food World in Lakeland, FL, with a parking lot full of classic cars and an Eckerd Drugs store in view.
Business
Do you remember your first job in Lakeland?
Share your memories of your first job for a chance to be featured.
June 9, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A concrete pier juts out into the ocean at sunset
Travel and Outdoors
Beachy road trip destinations within three hours of Lakeland
We’re exploring a few of our reader recommendations for beachy road trips around Lakeland, Florida.
June 9, 2025
 · 
Rilee Delgado
A sculpture of Frank Lloyd Wright wearing a wide-brimmed hat stands in front of the Sharp Family Tourism and Education Center
Culture
Explore the world’s largest Frank Lloyd Wright museum in Lakeland
Did you know that a Central Florida college is home to the largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs? See some of its most notable designs created by the world-famous architect.
June 5, 2025
 · 
Staff
A hand holds a cruffin topped with cream and chocolate chips in front of a lake
Food
Satisfy your sweet tooth with these local desserts
When cravings hit, level up your dessert game at one of these local sweet shops and makers in Lakeland.
June 5, 2025
 · 
Rilee Delgado
A loggia with gated arches and columns on the Frances Langford Promenade under a clear blue sky.
New to Lakeland
Lakeland’s most iconic landmarks
We’re giving you the 411 on the 863’s landmarks — from the Southgate Sign to “Sputnik.”
June 4, 2025
 · 
Staff
Several RVs parked in the trees surrounding a pond at Flamingo Camping Site in the Everglades National Park
Travel and Outdoors
Take an ad-van-ture to these RV camping spots around Lakeland
Get a taste of the camping life with these seven RV parks + campgrounds around Swan City.
June 4, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
LAL_west_pipkin_road_widening_APR2025
City
Decide what’s next for Polk transportation
Join the Polk Transportation Planning Organization’s Envision 2050 meeting to help plan the future of local transportation.
June 3, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
People attend a Polk Pride event with a rainbow Polk Pride FL banner in the background
Culture
Polk Pride is back: Here’s the 2025 event roundup
Check out the event lineup, from family-friendly events in the park to interfaith celebrations and dance parties.
June 2, 2025
 · 
Staff
Palm trees blowing in hard wind in the foreground, with a dark cloudy sky and the Summit Building in downtown Lakeland in the background.
City
Preparing for hurricane season in Lakeland
Hurricane season officially begins on Sunday, June 1 and will run through Sunday, Nov. 30. We’ve rounded up everything you can do to be hurricane-ready in Lakeland.
May 30, 2025
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Screen Shot 2020-05-05 at 4.28.47 PM
Experience
Museums in Lakeland
Whether you’re a history buff, art aficionado, or aviation fan, these nine museums around Lakeland have it all.
May 30, 2025
 · 
Staff