6AM City In-house

New Lakeland spots not to miss 👀
Renderings of what the Citrus Innovation Center at Florida Polytechnic University will look like
Plans for the Citrus Innovation Center | Rendering provided by Ryan Companies US, Inc.
The below list of new businesses has been updated as of November 2022.

🗓️ Coming soon

Every time we look around, it seems like something new is popping up in Lakeland. Whether you’re looking for your next go-to brunch destination or a new public park to stretch your legs, we’re rounding up a few things coming soon to the Swan City area.

Community
South Florida Avenue Lakeland Regional Health facility, 5610 S. Florida Ave. | Opening 2023 | Emergency services, primary care, secondary care, and space for Graduate Medical Education

Education
Florida Polytechnic University’s Citrus Innovation Center, 4700 Research Way | Opening 2023 | A 28,000-sqft research facility for citrus research

Dining
Unfiltered Lakeland, 801 E. Main St. | Opening winter 2022 | Coffee shop, artisan market, and event space housing other small businesses

A painted rendering of a plaza at night with a fountain in the center of a large walkway surrounded by four-story buildings

Downtown West Gateway

Conceptual renderings provided by The Lunz Group and The Apiary

Residential
Downtown West multi-family housing, 300 W. Lime St. | Open date TBD | A mixed-use complex featuring 500 multi-family apartments, a parking garage, and retail and commercial space

Retail
bodega Market, 106 N. Tennessee Ave. | Opening 2023 | Downtown Lakeland’s first market, featuring local and national brands and a deli counter

✅ Now open

Check out these recently opened local establishments:

Inside seating and kitchen area at Waco Kitchen in Lakeland, FL

Waco Kitchen at Lakeland Linder International Airport

Photo by @jessicakurbatov

Dining
Waco Kitchen, 3900 Don Emerson Dr. | Farm-to-table American-European fusion bites served with a view of the tarmac at Lakeland Linder International Airport

Black & Brew Coffee House and Bistro Southside, 4209 S. Florida Ave. | Salads, sandwiches, coffee, and more for dine-in or pickup via the business’ first express drive-thru

Recreation
Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd. | Opening Oct., 2022 | Swan City’s largest public park, featuring an event venue, aerial walking path, and 2-acre lawn

Florida Children’s Museum, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd. | Opening Nov., 2022 | A 47,000-sqft children’s museum focusing on sensory experiences, learning, and inclusive play

Click below for our full new + coming soon roundup, featuring everything from health care and nonprofits to business, education, housing, and more.
40+ MORE DEVELOPMENTS
6AM City In-house
EVENTS
 

Click here to have your event featured.

Tuesday, Nov. 8
  • Little Black Dress Initiative | Tuesday, Nov. 8-Friday, Nov. 11 | 12-12 a.m. | Lakeland | Don a black dress or outfit this week to show the restrictions poverty places on choices + opportunities — funds raised will help the Junior League of Greater Lakeland’s community-focused programs.*
  • Lunch Pop-Ups at Catapult: Our Noire Kitchen | Tuesday, Nov. 8, Tuesday, Nov. 15 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Catapult, 502 E Main St., Lakeland | Enjoy a gourmet meal with bold flavors from Our Noire Kitchen at this fall lunch series.*
Wednesday, Nov. 9
  • Open Mic at The Pink Piano | Wednesday, Nov. 9 | 8-11:30 p.m. | The Pink Piano, 1015 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free | Support local comedians and singers or perform onstage yourself at this open mic night.
  • Seinfield Trivia Night w/ Happy Ending Food Truck | Wednesday, Nov. 9 |6:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W Pine St, Lakeland | Free | There will be no soup for you if you miss this themed trivia night — all ages welcome.
Thursday, Nov. 10
  • COhatch Lakeland Grand Opening sponsoring the Lakeland Food Truck Rally | Thursday, Nov. 10 | 5:30-9 p.m. | COhatch Lakeland, 211 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Celebrate the opening of this new co-working space with a fall-themed food truck festival, games, tours, and more.
  • Creating Keepsakes Scrapbook Convention 2022 | Thursday, Nov. 10-Saturday, Nov. 12 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W Lime St, Lakeland | $6-$25 | Learn new scrapbooking techniques, shop from vendors, and work on your own projects with other crafters.
Friday, Nov. 11
  • Harvest Holler Corn Maze | Friday, Nov. 11-Saturday, Nov. 12 | 4-8 p.m. | Harvest Holler Corn Maze, 950 Tavares Rd., Polk City | $12-$15 | Have some fall fun with a corn maze, animal adventure hayride, cow barrel train, and a miniature golf course.
Saturday, Nov. 12
  • Andrew York in Concert | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Florida Southern College, 111 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland | $10-$20 | Hear Grammy award winning classical guitarist and composer Andrew York in concert.
  • Friends of Freedom Veterans Day Luncheon | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Cleveland Heights Golf Club, 2900 Buckingham Ave., Lakeland | $50 | Hear from Dr. Aundrea Matthews, President of Buffalo Soldiers Association of West Point, at this luncheon honoring all veterans and recognizing those who contributed to the Friends of Freedom memorial.
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS
SEASONAL
 

Calling all ugly sweaters
ugly sweater graphic
How ugly can you get? | Graphic by 6AM City
It’s sweater weather, and we want to make it count.

Send us your ugly Christmas sweatshirt designs for a chance to be featured on our all-over print sweatshirts + added to our online Six & Main store.

We don’t want to see the good, just the ugly.
SEND YOUR DESIGNS HERE
NEWS NOTES
 

Weather
  • 84º | Mostly cloudy | 20% chance of rain
  • Storm season isn’t quite over. Forecasters predict Subtropical Storm Nicole could grow to hurricane strength within the next few days. The storm system is approaching the East Coast of Florida and will likely cause hefty winds, rainfall, and storm surge this week. ⛈ (Tampa Bay Times)
Civic
  • The City of Lakeland has named Assistant Chief Sammy Taylor Junior as its next Chief of Police. Assistant Chief Taylor will step into the new role when current police chief Ruben Garcia retires on Wednesday, Nov. 30. Read more about Assistant Chief Taylor’s background and experience.
Tech
  • Bartow Air Traffic Controllers could be pioneering a new initiative: Remote air traffic control. Using digital towers and camera systems, remote air traffic controllers could assist pilots with takeoff and landing from states, or even countries, away. Factors in favor of Bartow’s involvement include its location and its locally-managed control tower. ✈️ (WFLA)
Number
  • $1.7 million. That’s how much AdventHealth is providing to the Polk State College Foundation for its Nursing Program. The funds will go towards recruiting + retaining highly-skilled professionals to keep the program — which boasts a higher NCLEX-RN passing rate than state and national averages — of the highest quality.
Arts
  • Florida Southern College 2016 alum Mister Fitzgerald is making his Broadway debut this winter in the 1992 play “Ohio State Murders.” Mister will perform alongside Tony Award nominees and winners in the play, which is also being directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon, through February. 🎭
Deal
  • US Military veterans and active-duty personnel can get free passport photos during November through the Polk County Clerk of Courts office. To verify eligibility, bring your DD-214, military ID, or driver’s license with a veteran designation. (The Ledger)
  • It’s time to get outdoors. National parks will waive admission fees for all guests on Friday, Nov. 11 in honor of Veteran’s Day. If the Everglades, Dry Tortugas, or Biscayne National Parks are out of range, check out Lakeland’s new 168-acre Bonnet Springs Park, which is always free. (KOIN) 🌳
Cause
  • The Polk County Walk to End Alzheimer’s is taking place on Saturday, Nov. 12. Register online for the walk — which leaves at 9 a.m. from Joker Marchant Stadium — to partner with the cause and help fund research for the Alzheimer’s Association.
  • Operation Christmas Child will begin accepting donation boxes on Monday, Nov. 14. Once filled, you can drop your box off at one of nine Polk County locations, including First Presbyterian Church (175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr.) and TBA Church (1815 E. County Road 540A) in Lakeland. Find more toy drives here. 🎁 (The Ledger)
Asked
  • Veterans Day — a federal holiday that commemorates those who have served in the US military — is coming up this Friday, Nov. 11. If you feel so inclined, share a message of gratitude for local veterans with us, and we may share it in an upcoming newsletter.
Announced
  • Things are about to get ugly because we want to see your best ugly holiday sweater design. If it’s selected, it will be featured on a sweatshirt in our LALtoday Six & Main shop for purchase. How ugly can you get? Email your design to us. 👀
Eat
  • Looking for a healthy midday snack? Wasabi snack peas are on sale in the bulk section at Publix GreenWise Market for $3.49 per pound through Wed., Nov. 9.*
DYK
  • Did you know there’s still time to share your Black Friday deals with our LALtoday readers? Promote your business with us by submitting a deal to be included in our Fri., Nov. 25 newsletter. Pricing varies by market + must be submitted by Wed., Nov. 16.
Beauty
  • Consider us influenced by this best-selling mascara, which has 20,000+ five-star reviews. Thrive Causemetics’ Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara™ delivers a phenomenal look, a non-toxic formula, and even creates longer, stronger, and healthier eyelashes over time. Bonus: Get 15% off your entire first purchase.*
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
TODAY IS
 

Election Day 🗳
Copy of LAL-Lead Story Image Crop.png
Lakelanders, make your voice heard by voting. | Photo by LALtoday
We’ve done the Googling so you don’t have to. To make this election as easy as possible, we’ve curated need-to-know information about how and where to vote, along with what we’re voting on — from seats to amendments. 👇

Are you registered?

First things first, make sure you’re eligible + registered to vote.

Find your polling location

Polk County polling places will be open on Tues., Nov. 8 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you’re unsure where to go, you can view voter information that provides your registration status + polling location.

What are we voting on?

In Polk County, you’ll be voting for a Senate representative, Congressional House representatives, a Governor, several more state and county seats, a school board seat, and five ballot measures.

Click the button below to meet the candidates and view our full voting guide for 2022.
MEET THE CANDIDATES
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Rilee.

Editor’s pick: Speaking of parks, did you know Lakeland has over 70 public parks and playgrounds? Check out our guide for some of our favorites — featuring everything from dog parks to walking trails and more. 🐶

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We highlighted some Veterans Day events taking place this week and weekend, here.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Rilee Delgado, Connor Keith, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

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