Heart eyes for days ❤️

Last-minute local ideas for Valentine’s Day

Heart-shaped desserts from Mitchell's Coffee House

Don’t underestimate a coffee date — find these treats at Mitchell’s. | Photo by @mitchellscoffeehouse

There’s no dodging Cupid’s arrow — Valentine’s Day is here. Whether you’re celebrating your friendships or sugaring up your sweetheart, we’ve got last-minute Valentine’s Day ideas that will have you loving love.

🌵 Get fantastical with botanicals

If you’re quick, you might have your pick of bouquets using Floom, an online marketplace that partners with florists that deliver locally.

You can also get creative and nab a potted plant from these plant spots. Nothing says forever like a hardy succulent.

The Green House Garden Store, 110 Easton Dr., Lakeland
Peterson Nursery, 2184 E. County Rd. 540A, Lakeland

Or, check out this roundup of where to buy plants.

🥂 Do brunch

If you didn’t manage to score reservations, try brunch instead:

Garden Bistro, 702 E. Orange St. | Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Bistro | $$ | Enjoy your brunch with a scenic view of Lake Mirror.
Divicious Deli & Coffee Shop, 128 E. Main St. | Mon.-Sat., 7 a.m.-5 p.m. (closes at 4 p.m. on Saturday) | Delicatessen | $ | This spot offers pastries and breakfast sandwiches all day long — try the Western Omelet with ham, tomatoes, peppers, and onions.
Egg Station, 1625 Shepherd Rd. | Daily, 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (stays open until 7 p.m. on Friday) | Diner | $ | We recommend the Southern French Toast (made with biscuits) and a side of home fries if you’re feeling extra hungry.

For more options, check out our brunch guide.

🌟 Go stargazing

It doesn’t get much more idyllic than bundling up and looking at the stars. Grab some blankets (and maybe a hot drink) and head to one of these spots away from man-made light to take in the sky.

Lakeland Highlands Scrub (early morning viewings only) | 6998 Lakeland Highlands Rd., Lakeland
Majestic View Court | Majestic View Ct., Lakeland

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Monday, Feb. 13

After School Art | Monday, Feb. 13 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art, 800 E. Palmetto St., Lakeland | $5 | Parents and children can work together on an art activity — space is limited.
“Fiddler on the Roof” | Monday, Feb. 13 | 7:30-10 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | $66-$86 | See this heartwarming Broadway show performed by a live orchestra and professional cast.

Tuesday, Feb. 14

Lakeland Music Club | Tuesday, Feb. 14 | 10-11:30 a.m. | United Women’s Club of Lakeland Clubhouse, 1515 Williamsburg Sq., Lakeland | Free | Hear Rebecca Renfroe Borneman, Renee Hauk, and Amanda LeVasseur sing favorite musical theater tunes.
Alzheimer Association’s In-Person Caregiver Support Group | Tuesday, Feb. 14 | 12-1 p.m. | Hawthorne Inn, 6150 Lakeland Highlands Rd., Lakeland | Free | Connect with other caregivers at this group that meets on the second Tuesday of each month.

Wednesday, Feb. 15

Green Drinks Lakeland February Event | Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 6-8:30 p.m. | The Joinery, 640 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Network with other professionals interested in sustainability — find the group seated in the back of The Joinery.
Sunset Yoga in the Vines | Wednesday, Feb. 15 | 6-7 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | $10 | Yogis of all levels can get their flow on with a 50-minute yoga session — tickets include a drink voucher.

Thursday, Feb. 16

Author Talk with Grace M. Cho | Thursday, Feb. 16 | 1 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Hear from this award-winning author as she discusses her memoir and answers audience questions with the Lakeland Public Library.

Friday, Feb. 17

Friday Night Live | Friday, Feb. 17 | 6-9 p.m. | Munn Park, 201 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Grab food or drinks to-go from downtown restaurants then attend this outdoor concert by Proper Wednesday.

Saturday, Feb. 18

Black History Festival | Saturday, Feb. 18 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Jackson Park and Coleman-Bush Building, 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | Free | Celebrate Black History Month with dance performances, artisan vendors, and a neighborhood history walk.

Monday, Feb. 20

St. Anthony Catholic School VPK Open House | Monday, Feb. 20 | 10-11 a.m. and 1-2 p.m. | St. Anthony Catholic School, 924 Marcum Rd., Lakeland | Free | Meet the teachers and tour the classrooms during this open house.*

We have a calendar filled with events and 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

Weather

71º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain

Civic

Results are in on the City’s survey of new features in Munn Park. The most popular choices were more benches, shade structures, a front lawn, and planters. City Commissioners are considering closing streets to cars and weighing options for those experiencing homelessness. 🌳 (LkldNow)

Open

Grab your shopping bags, because bodega Market is now open at 106 N. Tennessee Ave. The store will be open Monday-Saturday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., offering grab-and-go food and basic necessities. You’ll soon be able to shop locally-made goods, beer, and wine as well. (The Ledger)

Watch

“The People Who Live There” is now available to watch on Amazon Prime. Rent or buy the movie — directed by The Collection Media and produced by Paige and Chase Wagner of Paige Wagner homes — to learn about Lakeland’s growth through its historic homes. 🎥

Award

David and Jean Bunch received the George Jenkins Award at the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting last week. The couple received the community service award for their work in bringing Bonnet Springs Park to life. (LkldNow)

Travel

TRYP Air Charter has expanded its fleet to include a Pilatus PC12-NG single engine turbo prop plane. The private charter aircraft departs from Lakeland Linder International Airport, reaching destinations like the Bahamas or Nashville in less than 2 hours. BRB, booking our next vacation. 🛩

Family

Legoland Florida has been recognized as a Certified Autism Center by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. The theme park offers guests sensory guides and quiet rooms, and employees will be trained on accommodating all visitors. 🎢 (The Ledger)

Try This

What’s the password? Head to Frescos Southern Kitchen & Bar’s underground speakeasy on Thursday, Feb. 16 from 6:30-9 p.m. for Cocktails & Karaoke. Hop onstage to perform and enjoy light appetizers and cocktails — proceeds from the $15 cover charge will benefit Achievement Academy.

Deal

Bring your used candle jars and lids from past Rafa Natural purchases to the store to be recycled into new candles. The best part? You’ll receive a discount on your next purchase. Talk about a bright idea. 🕯

Biz

Looking for a place to host your next team meeting or conference? Catapult has a variety of meeting rooms for rent that can accommodate any size group. Take a look at the options.*

Community

It’s almost time for the 76th Annual Tiger BBQ. The community is invited to Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 6-8 p.m. for BBQ + baseball. Learn more and grab tickets.*

Eat

Make tonight pizza night. Monteli Frozen Pizza is two for $10 at Publix GreenWise Market through Wednesday, Feb. 15. 🍕 *

Seasonal

Valentine’s Day may be tomorrow, but it’s not too late to order that special someone a bouquet of fresh flowers. Don’t have time to cross reference all of the florists in town? Enter: Floom, an online marketplace that partners with talented florists that deliver locally. Shop Valentine’s Day arrangements. 💐 *

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Meet Prospect Lake Wire

New development to break ground near Lake Wire

Renderings of the Prospect Lake Wire mixed-use development

What retail and restaurants do you want to see offered? | Renderings provided by Carter USA

A retail and housing development is coming to 608 Prospect St. — the old site of Florida Tile. Atlanta-based real estate company Carter, which officially purchased the 22-acre site in October, broke ground on Thursday, Feb. 9.

The new mixed-use development adjacent to Bonnet Springs Park will be named Prospect Lake Wire for its location on Prospect Street and proximity to the lake. It will feature apartments, retail shops, and restaurants.

Two 7,500-sqft buildings facing Kathleen Road will go up for restaurants and retail shops. Developers aim to attract the greater Lakeland community — not just residents — to the amenities.

Four-story buildings housing 300 apartments will be built on 10.33 acres of land near George Jenkins Boulevard. Two more buildings — four and five stories — will house 330 apartments above a 15,000-sqft stretch of retail space on Sikes Boulevard.

MORE PLANS AND RENDERINGS

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Connor.

Editor’s pick: If you need one more last-minute date idea, check out the Silver Moon Drive-In’s Valentine’s Day special: Show this Instagram post at the box office for BOGO admission tomorrow night. No date-keeping here.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Silver Moon made our list of kid-friendly activities across Lakeland, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Rilee Delgado, Connor Keith, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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