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Bowls, ice, and everything nice 🍨

Restaurant Roundup: Meet your new favorite Lakeland restaurants
Orange and white gelati
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice is coming to south Lakeland. | Photo by @hannahevemspam
When we shared the news about the new happyfastdelicious drive-thru coffee spot coming to the old Gelati Joe’s location, one of our followers may have manifested Lakeland’s next foodie location: Jeremiah’s Italian Ice.

“Lakeland already has too many coffee shops. If it’s not gelati Joe’s, make it a Jeremiah’s.” — @rigoberto_jurado

Luckily for this follower, Lakeland is getting just that. Jeremiah’s Italian Ice is coming soon to 2117 E. County Rd. 540A (think: The Publix plaza at the corner of Lakeland Highlands Road and East County Road 540A). The biz is known for unique gelati and Italian ice flavors like lemon basil, spicy hot chocolate, melon fresca, and more.

That’s not all. Here are five more food and drink developments we’re keeping our eye on:

Exterior shot of Fresh Kitchen in Lakeland, FL

Signage is up at Lakeland’s first Fresh Kitchen location. | Photo by LALtoday

Fresh Kitchen, 4520 S. Florida Ave.
This highly-anticipated eatery is opening on April 18, 2023 — we recommend trying the lemon garlic broccoli and roasted salmon.

Planet Smoothie, 1606 Town Center Dr.
Planet Smoothie is opening its doors in Lakeside Village this month. This smoothie chain is known for protein, superfood, and energy smoothies.

An exterior shot of construction at 4 Rivers Smokehouse

Ground has broken on Lakeland’s first 4 Rivers Smokehouse.

|

Photo by LALtoday

4 Rivers Smokehouse, 4747 S. Florida Ave.
Construction is underway at the future site of 4 Rivers — we’re already drooling thinking about those classic savory Southern dishes.

Sabrina’s Delicacies, 4610 Cleveland Heights Blvd.
This biz is bringing its charcuterie boards to a brick-and-mortar shop near Tea Largo this summer. Grab-and-go boards will be available in addition to dine-in seating.

happyfastdelicious, 3601 S. Florida Ave.
This drive-thru coffee chain was designed specifically for mobile ordering (read: No more waiting for cars in front of you to order).

Is your most-anticipated eatery not on our list? Tell us what eatery you’re manifesting next — we trust you have good taste.
🤔 ASKED 🤔

If you could wave a magic wand and immediately finish any local development, which would it be?
A. 4 Rivers Smokehouse
B. Planet smoothie
C. happyfastdelicious
D. Jeremiah’s Italian ice
TELL US WHAT YOU'RE HUNGRY FOR
GreenWise Market
 
🗓️ EVENTS 🗓️

Thursday, March 2
  • Walker Hayes | Thursday, Mar. 2 | 7:30 p.m. | Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds, 303 N. Lemon St., Plant City | $40 | This country singer will sing his hits, including “Fancy Like,” on the Wish Farms Soundstage.
  • Rick Graham Solo w/ Big Baby Bitez | Thursday, Mar. 2 | 6-9 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free | Grab a drink from the taproom and food from Big Baby Bitez to enjoy live music by Rick Graham.
Friday, March 3
  • Social Media and Youth Seminar for Parents | Friday, Mar. 3-Saturday, Mar. 4 | Times vary | First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr., Lakeland | Free | Dr. Berney Wilkinson and Dr. Richard Marshall will discuss good habits, safeguards, and warning signs in youth social media use.
  • “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” | Friday, Mar. 3 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $20-$26 | Take flight at this musical based on the beloved children’s movie.
Saturday, March 4
  • Harrison School for the Arts Red Carpet Fundraiser | Saturday, Mar. 4 | 6-10 p.m. | Harrison School For the Arts, 750 Hollingsworth Rd., Lakeland | $0-$60 | Harrison School for the Arts is raising money with a silent auction, food, and live student performances.
  • Yoga in the Vines | Saturday, Mar. 4 | 9-10 a.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | $10 | Start your day with an hour-long stretch in the Keel Farms vineyard and stay to visit the tasting room or restaurant.
Sunday, March 5
Monday, March 6
  • After School Art | Monday, Mar. 6 | 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.
  • Josh Turner | Monday, Mar. 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds, 303 N. Lemon St., Plant City | $35 | Multi-platinum-selling artist Josh Turner will sing hits like “Your Man” and “Why Don’t We Just Dance.”

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.

Click here to have your event featured.
100+ MORE EVENTS
Bonnet Springs Park
 
✏️NEWS NOTES✏️

Weather
  • 88Âş | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain
Edu
  • Polk County Public Schools is recruiting teachers from Puerto Rico to fill ~200 staff vacancies. This year, PCPS has 70 international teachers on the payroll — double its international staff count from last year. PCPS is meeting potential teachers in San Juan from Friday, March 24-Saturday, March 25. (WFLA)
  • Dr. Doga Demirel and Dr. Onur Toker of Florida Polytechnic University are developing a surgical simulator to help train doctors on bariatric surgeries. The simulator is highly-realistic and allows doctors to practice the surgery in a 3D setting anywhere, anytime. đź©ş
Legacy
  • Manatee County Deputy James Racky is riding the 300-mile Police Unity Tour this May in memory of Deputy Blane Lane, the 21-year-old Polk County Deputy Sheriff who died in the line of duty last fall. Deputy Blane was designated an honorary sheriff by Sheriff Grady Judd. (WFLA)
Number
  • 30,000. That’s how many are expected to attend Bartow’s Bloomin’ Arts Festival this Saturday, March 4-Sunday, March 5. The festival will feature 13 prizes and $15,000 in prize money for participating artists. Visit downtown Bartow from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. to attend. 🎨 (The Ledger)
Cause
  • Supporting the arts is in style this season. The Polk Museum of Art is hosting its Spring Fashion Show Benefit on Wednesday, March 22 at 6:30 p.m. Buy tickets now to see the latest looks on the runway in the museum’s galleries. Stay after the show for drinks, art, and a silent auction.
  • There are just two days left to register for the Lakeland Regional Health Hollis Cancer Center Promise Run. The annual 5K/10K — to be hosted at the Lake Mirror Promenade this Saturday, March 4 — allows the community to come together to help conquer cancer while also celebrating survivors. Learn more + sign up. đź‘ź*
Sports
  • Polk County Public Schools has new teams on the roster: Girls’ flag football, girls’ beach volleyball, boys’ volleyball, and bowling. Learn more about cheering on your school’s team at the next home game via its website.
Try This
  • Do you have a date for the prom? Rec Room is hosting an Adult Prom Night on Friday, March 31. Dress your best in 1980s-inspired attire and see who’s crowned Lakeland’s prom king and queen. Pro tip: Buy your tickets by Sunday, March 5 for $10 off. đź•ş
Eat
  • Stop by The Curated Collective this Saturday, March 4 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for a From Beverly Bakery pop-up. Buy bento cakes or cupcakes to try the new spring flavors: Honey lavender, creamsicle, gluten-free vegan white chocolate strawberry, and vegan cookies and cream.
  • Twisted Sugar’s flavors of the month are here: Head to the 3958 S. Florida Ave. storefront to try raspberry lemonade and Rolo caramel cookies through the month of March.
Stat
  • 68%. That’s how many of our readers flock to the Florida Strawberry Festival specifically for the mouthwatering, delicious, sometimes outlandish strawberry-themed foods, according to our recent poll. The festival kicks off today — here’s everything you need to know to have the berry best time. 🍓
Read

Seasonal
Biz
  • While Catapult membership includes a lot of perks, there’s one perk that could especially make a difference in your company’s growth. See how entrepreneurial networking led to a connection between two Catapult members that resulted in a Lakeland business’ goals becoming a reality.*
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
 
SPORTS

They shoot... 🏀

See the Lakeland Magic at these upcoming games
LAL_Lakeland_Magic_march_2023
Zavier Simpson of the Lakeland Magic goes up for a shot against Eli Brooks of the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. | NBA Photos/NBAE via Getty Images
...and you score. The Lakeland Magic have released tickets for March home games at the RP Funding Center.

Here’s where you can score fan freebies by being one of the first 1,000 in the door:

🏀 Women’s Celebration Night | Monday, March 13 | 7 p.m. | $12-$158 | Celebrate Women’s History Month at this game against the Capital City Go-Go — receive a free Lakeland Magic bag.

🏀 Hoops for Hunger | Tuesday, March 21 | 7 p.m. | $12-$158 | Cheer on the Magic while they play the Long Island Nets — receive a free replica Hoops for Hunger jersey.

🏀 Fan Appreciation Night | Thursday, March 23 | 7 p.m. | $12-$158 | The Lakeland Magic are tipping their hat to the fans while they play against the Long Island Nets — receive a free mystery bobblehead.

Pro tip: Make getting through security at any stadium game a breeze by swapping your usual bag for a clear crossbody or fanny pack.
3 MORE MARCH GAMES
6AM City In-house
 
đź‘‹ THE WRAP đź‘‹
 
Rilee-Delgado-Headshot-LAL

Todays Edition By:
Rilee
From the Editor
Does anyone else think of Thursday as baby Friday? If you’re like me and already have the weekend on your brain, check out these weekend events.
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