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History

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 01:58 PM
 · 
Brianna Williams
An exterior view of Mitchell's Coffee Shop in Lakeland, FL
Business
The 25-year history of Lakeland’s oldest coffee shop
Mitchell’s Coffee Shop has been serving up coffee and gourmet food since 1998. See what inspired the coffee shop’s founder to open the first shop of its kind in Lakeland 25 years ago.
July 24, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A glass of beer on a wooden bar at Swan Brewing. In the background are beer taps and customers.
Culture
Local libations: A round-up of Lakeland-centric craft beers
A turn of phrase here, a recognizable Lakeland nod there — these craft beers found around Swan City take local pride seriously.
July 22, 2024
 · 
Monica Garske
FB6A4CE3-8973-4700-AB00-93EF62BF073F
History
Defunct theme parks around Central Florida
We’re reminiscing on some literal blasts from the past — from live shows to roller coasters and other attractions.
June 11, 2024
 · 
Katelyn Lewis
unnamed
Business
Silver Moon Drive-In’s silver screen history
Founded in 1948, Silver Moon Drive-In has provided first-run films to Polk County residents for 75+ years — here’s a look at its storyboard.
June 5, 2024
 · 
Amelia Herring
Blinky the alligator statue formerly on Lake Mirror
History
Blinky — Lakeland’s unofficial mascot
Warning: This story has a bit of a sad ending.
May 28, 2024
 · 
Rilee Delgado
map of lakeland's historic districts
New to Lakeland
Lakeland’s charm: Historic districts in the Swan City
Canopy roads, bungalows, brick streets, and royal swans — you’ll find all this and more throughout Lakeland’s seven historic districts.
May 13, 2024
 · 
Rilee Delgado
The exterior of a tan, one-story building with dark trim and large front windows. A small sign for a church is fixed on one of the walls.
Food
Serving up a slice of history with Strollo’s, Lakeland’s first pizzeria
Learn the back story of Strollo’s, a restaurant that first introduced Italian cuisine to Lakeland in the 1940s.
April 23, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
LAL-lake-hunter-kayak
Travel and Outdoors
What’s in a name: The story behind Swan City’s most infamous lakes
If you’ve ever wondered how some of Lakeland’s most notable bodies of water got their names — this is for you.
April 12, 2024
 · 
Amelia Herring
Exterior shot of the Terrace Hotel
Real Estate
The Terrace: Lakeland’s oldest, most luxurious hotel
This historic building has been a staple of Swan City’s skyline for nearly a century.
April 10, 2024
 · 
Katelyn Lewis
A group of teenagers stands outside of the Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine building.
Business
Camp Fire Sunshine: Igniting the spark within Lakeland’s youth
This United Way partner agency has been shaping Lakeland’s youth through engaging programming + community service for more than a century.
April 8, 2024
 · 
Amelia Herring
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