It’s the season of sweets 🍫

Satisfy your sweet tooth with these local desserts

A hand holds a cruffin topped with cream and chocolate chips in front of a lake

This croissant creation by Meraki is filled with cream + chocolate chips. | Photo by LALtoday

Forrest Gump told us life was like a box of chocolates, but we’re telling you that your valentine deserves more than the store-bought box you pick up at the last minute. Check out this list of local sweets for your sweetheart.

Born and Bread Bakehouse, 1113 S. Florida Ave. | Stop by to load up on your favorites, like chocolate-covered strawberry cruffins.

A pink strawberry lemonade slush topped with whipped cream and heart sprinkles — We’re craving this strawberry lemonade slush with a kiss of whipped cream.

Cafe Zuppina, 4417 S. Florida Ave. | Step into The Market to try desserts like baklava and sweet seasonal sips.

Cake Makers Studio, 115 S. Kentucky Ave. | With a full candy case, ice cream, and professionally decorated cakes, this local spot has something for everyone.

Charlie’s Mini Donuts & Coffee, 1023 E. County Rd. 540A | Grab a $5 valentine’s box, which includes four donuts, now through Valentine’s Day.

Crumbles and Cream, 113 S. Evers St., Plant City | This bakery is known for traditional German recipes — we’re eyeing the heart-shaped strawberry cream cheese cake.

DOU Bakehouse, 830 N. Massachusetss Ave. | Get a taste of France with macarons and financier cake pops.

From Beverly Bakery, locations vary | Orders for allergy-friendly decorated cakes and cupcakes are booked through Feb. 18, but you can shop the bakery’s pop-up at Milk Mart in Orlando on Saturday, Feb. 12.

Honeycomb Bread Bakers, 140 6th St. SW, Winter Haven | Stop by the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market or the Winter Haven storefront to pick up fresh bread, cinnamon rolls, and cookies.

Meraki Bakehouse, locations vary | This bakehouse serves up colorful pastries like croissants, Danish, and muffins at the Farmers Curb Market on Saturdays.

A heart-shaped box full of Valentine's Day-themed macaron cookies — We’d take a box of these macarons over chocolate any day.

Milk and Honey Macarons, locations vary | Pick up a box of seasonal macarons at the Farmers Curb Market or the Valentine Night Market on Saturday, Feb. 11.

Victor & Mika’s Bakery, 371 Ave. D NW, Winter Haven | This vegan bakery’s sweet treats are so good you won’t believe that most of them are also gluten-free.

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Thursday, Feb. 9

T-R-I-V-I-A | Thursday, Feb. 9 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | The Joinery, 640 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Show what you know and enjoy an extra long happy hour.
Author Talk with Lana Harper | Thursday, Feb. 9 | 7 p.m. | Virtual | Free | This bestselling author will discuss the next book in the “Witches of Thistle Grove” series, “Back in a Spell,” with the Lakeland Public Library.

Friday, Feb. 10

Gallery Perspectives | Friday, Feb. 10 | 12-1 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art, 800 E. Palmetto St., Lakeland | Free | Get an in-depth look at the museum’s current exhibit from curator and director Dr. Alex Rich.
Cosmic Tangled Love — Date Nite | Friday, Feb. 10 | 7-9 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $39 | Bring your date to this guided painting class and see how your artistic skills fare.

Saturday, Feb. 11

Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Saturday, Feb. 11 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free | Find fresh produce, plants, and locally handcrafted items at this outdoor farmers market.
Antique Fair Along Main Street | Saturday, Feb. 11 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | All along Main Street, Bartow | Free | Search for a treasure among antiques, collectibles, and vintage items.

Sunday, Feb. 12

Lakeland Record Fair | Sunday, Feb. 12 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Rec Room, 202 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | Free | Shop for records, cassettes, CDs, art, and other memorabilia from vendors across the state — a live DJ and local food will be on site.
Forrest McCurren w/ Feasts of Persia | Sunday, Feb. 12 | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free | Enjoy an afternoon of live music and fresh eats before watching the big game.

Monday, Feb. 13

“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.

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

86º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of rain

Opening

Lakeland’s new Aldi location (4532 S. Florida Ave.) is one week away from opening its doors. You can finally shop at the grocery store on Thursday, Feb. 16. Read up on what you can expect from the store before you go — and don’t forget your quarter. 🛒 (The Ledger)

Biz

Texas Cattle Company has closed after a fire broke out early Tuesday morning. The Lakeland Fire Department put the fire out in under three hours without any injuries. The restaurant’s owners plan to reopen in three weeks. In the meantime, employees will work at other restaurants. (Fox 13 News)

Number

$720,000. That’s how much Polk County has received in grant funding from the US Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program. The funds will be used to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians on county roadways. 🛣 (The Ledger)

Traffic

A portion of South Florida Avenue was closed yesterday after deadly crash in Dixieland. A pickup truck smashed through the south side of the Waller Construction and Design Center. The road was reopened around 11 a.m. after the Lakeland Police Department concluded its investigation.

Civic

Passionate about local civics and environmental conservation? Polk County Commissioners approved the creation of the Conservation Land Acquisition Selection Advisory Committee to make recommendations on environmental land acquisitions for the county. Applications are open. (The Ledger)

Talk

Florida Southern College grad Rick Norcross will return on Thursday, Feb. 16 as part of FSC’s Florida History Lecture Series. Rick will present on his time as a music journalist and photographer working with stars like Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, and The Rolling Stones. 🎸

History

DYK that Bartow is home to one of Florida’s only homes still standing that was built by a formerly enslaved person? Celebrate the life and history of its builder at the 23rd annual L.B. Brown Heritage Festival happening Saturday, Feb. 11-Sunday, Feb. 12. (The Ledger)

Sports

The Lakeland Magic and City of Lakeland Wastewater Utilities are putting the “ease” in “grease disposal.” Recycle your containers of cooking oil, fats, or grease at a collection center near you to receive a $5 ticket offer for the Magic’s Space Jam Night game on Saturday, Feb. 11. 🏀

Learn

Teachers, social workers, and other stakeholders can learn about youth trends and drug prevention at InterAct Alliance’s Own The Upside Prevention Summit on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at the W.H. Stuart Conference Center in Bartow. Register now for free admission, including breakfast and lunch.

Pets

Is your dog the next great artist? Find out at The Doggie Bag’s Paint with Your Pup event on Saturday, March 25. Pups will create a work of art — we hear peanut butter is involved — and proceeds from tickets will go to Until Such Time, Inc. dog rescue. 🐕

Community

Love is in the air. Bonnet Springs Park is hosting its first Bridal Show on Sunday, Feb. 19 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The free event features vendors + bridal experts who are ready to help you plan the wedding of your dreams. Snag tickets. 💍 *
Have you seen the new tables on Catapult’s patio? They were built by Maker Space member Robert Berganza, a woodworker + furniture maker who got his start at Catapult. Learn more about the Maker Space (and meet some members).*

Wellness

Level up your sleep hygiene and wake up feeling well-rested with a little help from two top-rated products: this blackout sleep mask with ~9,000 five-star reviews and this sleek white noise machine complete with 31 different soothing sounds. 💤 *

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Are you ready for some football? 🏈

Where to watch sports in Lakeland

Two women smile and hold up a Michelob Ultra bottle and a Wilson football.

Beer + football go hand-in-hand. | Photo by @foodand.beer

Super Bowl LVII will kick off on Sunday, Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m. If you’re still making your game plan, here are a few places to watch the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs face off.

Glory Days Grill, 3790 Lakeside Village Ct.
Several of our readers have recommended this spot for its pulled pork bowls, tacos, and drinks.

Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St.
Feasts of Persia food truck will be on-site to serve up the eats, and you can catch live music from Forrest McCurren before the game.

Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, 3772 US Hwy. 98 N.
Head to Walk-On’s for Louisiana-inspired cuisine and plenty of huge screens — we recommend ordering the Surf & Turf burger during the game.

2 MORE GAMEDAY OPTIONS

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Connor.

Editor’s pick: Today is National Pizza Day — which should be a federal holiday, if you ask me. Things got pretty saucy the last time we asked for our followers’ favorite local pies. It turns out people are passionate about pizza.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We found out if Lakeland has a rhyme or reason for an official poet laureate, 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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