Business

A hand holds a "Strawberry Season Passport" listing various local farms in front of the Parkesdale Farm Market storefront.
Business
Explore Central Florida’s best berries with Strawberry Season Passports
Did you get your hands on the popular Strawberry Season Passports before they sold out? If not, no worries — just follow along with our editor’s tasty travels.
January 20, 2026 12:56 PM
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Four white plates sit on a brown wooden table. Two contain two slices of French toast while the other two contain scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage links.
Culture
Answered: Your picks for Lakeland’s hidden gems
From food and drink to retail and attractions — we asked you for what hidden gems make Lakeland the best and you delivered.
March 15, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
LAL_Peach_Cobbler_Factory_March_2024
Food
Peach Cobbler Factory in Lakeland is now open
Here’s what you need to know about Lakeland’s newest spot for sweets.
March 1, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
The exterior of the Publix Super Market location at Lake Miriam Square, including the facade, sign, and a green awning over the entrance.
Business
Lake Miriam Publix will be razed this summer ahead of a remodel
Here’s what to expect — from the demolition and rebuild to where to shop in the meantime.
February 29, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
rotating images of scenes from the lakeside second sunday market including a view of the market, a vendor holding a plate, and plants on a table
Sponsored
Try This: Stroll-shopping + supporting local at Lakeside Second Sunday Market
We visited Lakeside Village’s monthly Lakeside Second Sunday Market — and experienced a world of discoveries while strolling the 80+ local vendors.
Sponsored by
A gloved veterinarian holds a radar-shaped device up to a dog's face.
Sponsored
Inside Lakeland’s newest veterinary hospital
New Life Veterinary Hospital is expanding its loving pet care to a second location.
Sponsored by
maas brothers
Business
Which closed Lakeland business would you bring back?
From retailers to restaurants, you told us which businesses you think deserve a second chance.
February 26, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The front of The Lakeland Country Club building: a white stucco building with red Spanish-style roofing and two palm trees in front.
Sponsored
A century of legacy: Lakeland Country Club celebrates 100 years
The longest-standing private club in Lakeland celebrates its centennial year in 2024.
Sponsored by
a close up shot of a basket of strawberries
Sponsored
Farm to Shelf: It’s a berry good time to get locally grown strawberries
Head to your local Publix to pick up some local strawbs — and see how to score discount tickets to the Florida Strawberry Festival.
Sponsored by
The downtown Lakeland viewed from across Lake Mirror. Clouds in the sky cast shadows over the lake and the mix of high and medium-rise buildings, including the Lakeland Electric building.
City
Lakeland rises in the Milken Institute’s Best-Performing Cities index
The list of best-performing cities considers the economy, resiliency, and growth of 400+ cities. See where Lakeland ranked.
February 9, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A rendering of The Depot 303 food hall, showing a white one-story building with black trim and design accents. The top of the building has a small sign that reads "The Depot 303."
Real Estate
Get a sneak peek at The Depot 303, Mulberry’s first food hall
As this food hall gets closer to opening, see the latest renderings of the 14,000-sqft indoor and outdoor space coming to The Depot 303 in downtown Mulberry.
February 1, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
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The exterior of the RP Funding Center, viewed from in front of rose bushes.
Experience
15+ upcoming concerts headed to Lakeland
AC/DC tribute? Check. Marshall Tucker Band? Check. It’s not a bad idea to triple-check this list and get your concert tickets before they sell out.
May 12, 2025
LAL-Mister-Fish-laltoday
Food
Get a taste of the sea at these Lakeland area restaurants
Whether you’re making dinner plans and craving lobster rolls or looking for your local fish market, check out this list of seafood eateries and distributors in and around Lakeland.
May 9, 2025
 · 
Rilee Delgado
Pastel storefront of "Bloom Shakalaka" and "East of These" with pink awning, green doors, and vibrant pink floral decor.
Sponsored
Pass the mic: 3 questions with Lakeland’s small business owners
We’re rounding out a week of small business features by asking owners what it’s like to live + work in Lakeland.
Sponsored by
Pole dance studio with wood floors, mirrored wall, neon signs, and chrome poles evenly spaced throughout.
Sponsored
Try this: 12 unique Lakeland small businesses worth experiencing
While we love our Lakeland small biz staples, think outside the box and check out these 12 small bizzes that are carving their own path.
Sponsored by
Shoppers browse fine art at an outdoor art festival. Each artist is set up in a small white tent with a domed top set up in the grass by a road.
Events
Headed to Mayfaire by-the-Lake? Save these pro tips.
From where to park to must-do activities, here are the top things you need to know if you’re planning to attend the Mayfaire by-the-Lake art festival.
May 7, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A service business worker wearing a Help(her) shirt and a yellow purse holds three white paper boxes wrapped with string.
Sponsored
Lakeland small service businesses to cover every part of life
These 25+ businesses are at your service with everything from beauty to events to professional development.
Sponsored by
A photographer takes a photo of a mother and child in front of a Mother's Day photo backdrop at Lakeside Village
Events
A Mother’s Day event for every type of mom in Lakeland
No matter what type of moms we have, they deserve to be celebrated this Mother’s Day. Check out these nine events and deals around Lakeland just for mother figures.
May 6, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Vendor tents line a downtown street filled with pedestrians at First Friday.
Experience
14 of the top free things to do in Lakeland
No cash? No problem. Whether you are spending a day or a lifetime in Lakeland, these are some of the best offerings that won’t break the bank.
May 5, 2025
 · 
Staff
Laptop on a blue table with iced tea beside it, displaying small business Whimsy & Stars Paperie's website.
Sponsored
5 Lakeland small bizzes you can support from your couch
Who says you have to leave home to support Lakeland’s small businesses?
Sponsored by
RV campsite with tropical trees, tiki hut, and outdoor living area
Experience
Plan a vacation you’ll never forget at one of these unique stays in Polk County
Polk is full of special places to stay that offer guests a break from traditional motels and hotels — check out our favorites in and around Lakeland, Florida.
May 2, 2025
 · 
Cambrie Juarez