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☕️ From the grounds up

The 25-year history of Lakeland’s oldest coffee shop
An exterior view of Mitchell's Coffee Shop in Lakeland, FL
Mitchell’s has been serving Lakeland since 1998. | Photo by @theblizzardofboz
The year was 1998. “Titanic” was the biggest movie at the box office, the Furby had just hit shelves, these city editors were just learning to crawl, and the coffee shop boom of the nineties was about to hit Lakeland. Mitch Harvey and his family opened Mitchell’s Coffee House at 235 N. Kentucky Ave., and it’s been serving Swan City ever since.

Today, you can’t throw a rock in Lakeland without hitting a café, but it was a different story 25 years ago. “The inspiration to open Mitchell’s was born out of the desire to own my own business and a little bit of opportunity,” Harvey told us. “When we started planning the store there were no other coffeehouses in Lakeland, so desire and opportunity collided and the idea of Mitchell’s Coffee House was born.”

An iced coffee and slice of coffee cake sitting on a table at Mitchell's Coffee Shop

Don’t skip the baked goods and pastries — we love the coffee cake.

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Photo by LALtoday

If you visited Mitchell’s when it first opened, the most popular items on the menu were the I Dream of Jeanie latte (with hazelnut, coconut, and white chocolate mocha) and the carrot cake baked from scratch. If you weren’t around to try them in 1998, you’re in luck. Both are still on the menu, along with breakfast, lunch, specialty coffees, and cases packed with pastries + baked goods.

What’s next for Mitchell’s Coffee Shop after 25 years in business? Native Lakelander and downtown resident Harvey says, “I see us remaining a very strong staple of the vibrant Lakeland coffeehouse scene for many more years to come.”

Mitchell’s recently underwent renovations and has a new modern look inside, but it’s still the cozy shop that regulars know and love. Stop by to see the new space Monday-Saturday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m., and drink in a piece of downtown Lakeland history.
Lakeland Regional Health
 
Events
Wednesday, Sept. 27
  • Yoga for Beginners | Wednesday, Sept. 27 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Simpson Park Community Center, 1725 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $5 | Bring your mat and water to this class for all levels of yogis 16 or older — locations vary by day.
  • Line Dancing & Karaoke | Wednesday, Sept. 27 | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | If your boots were made for dancing, bring them for lessons at 5 p.m. and karaoke at 8 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 28
  • Pits & Pints | Thursday, Sept. 28 | 5-9 p.m. | The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Enjoy craft drinks and entertainment at the Yard — a portion of proceeds will benefit the Polk County Bully Project.
  • Pastel Van Gogh | Thursday, Sept. 28 | 7-9 p.m. | Painting with a Twist, 3670 Harden Blvd., Lakeland | $39 | Paint a floral masterpiece inspired by the style of Vincent van Gogh.
Friday, Sept. 29
  • “Unnecessary Farce” | Friday, Sept. 29-Sunday, Oct. 8 | Times vary | Buckner Theatre at Florida Southern College, 1100 Johnson Ave., Lakeland | $10-$20 | Florida Southern College students will kick off the Festival of Fine Arts with this comedic mystery play.
  • Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail | Friday, Sept. 29-Saturday, Nov. 4 | Times vary | Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail, 2837 S. Frontage Rd., Plant City | $27-$57 | Celebrate this attraction’s 10th season with three outdoor haunted trails, a new haunted hayride, escape games, and axe throwing.
Saturday, Sept. 30
  • Mind, Body, Movement: Tai-Chi | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 8-9 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Take part in a gentle movement meditation led by Satya Life Yoga.
  • Mossy Hollow Market | Saturday, Sept. 30 | 2-8 p.m. | Metals and Nature, 1501 W. State Rd. 60, Plant City | Free entry | This enchanted forest-themed market will include a potions bar, stargazing tent, and wishing cauldron — costumes are encouraged.
Events calendar here
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Grasslands West Investments LLC
 
Finance

Drive off with great rates on a new car next Saturday
Ariel view of Regal Lakeland's Honda, Acura & Used Car lots.
Lakelanders can snag a great deal on a car with Regal and great rates on-site with Publix Employees Federal Credit Union. | Photo provided by Regal.
If you’ve been considering revamping your ride, Publix Employees Federal Credit Union and Regal Automotive Lakeland are teaming up for a car sale that gives you the chance to upgrade and save.†

Get ready to shift into savings (with great rates) on new and used cars, trucks + more on Saturday, Oct. 7 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 2615 Lakeland Hills Blvd.

Bonus: Enjoy family-friendly fun, refreshments, and more while you shop.
See current rates + start your application
† Rates based on creditworthiness.
News Notes
Number
  • $6.3 million. That’s how much more the city expects to receive in property taxes in the 2024 fiscal year compared to this year. While the millage rate will stay at $5.4323 per $1,000 of assessed value, local property values have increased. (LkldNow)
Civic
  • The search continues for a permanent home for Lakeland’s Sixth District Court of Appeal. City officials are considering building one in the RP Funding Center’s west parking lot, where a shared parking garage could also be built. (LkldNow)
Biz
  • Unfiltered Lakeland is getting a fresh look this weekend. Visit the Fall Rebrand Launch on Saturday, Sept. 30 for free coffee, deals on lattes + mimosas, and a new storefront opening from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Learn
  • Genealogists can delve deeper into their family histories at the Lakeland History and Culture Center. Attend tonight’s free session on using Ancestry’s genealogy software at 5:30 p.m., or join The Generators group discussion on Monday, Oct. 2 at 5:30 p.m.
Talk
  • Southeastern University’s Global Pentecostalism Center is hosting a free Fall Speaker Series, open to the public. The series will begin with SEU professor Dr. Chris E.W. Green’s talk, “The Wounds of God: A Theology of Trauma,” on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m.
Outdoors
  • Starting Sunday, Oct. 1, adult admission to Bok Tower Gardens will increase from $17 to $20. Child admission will now apply to kids aged 6 to 17. Pro tip: Get in free with the final Wawa Summer Fun Days on Sept. 28 and 29. (The Ledger)
Edu
  • Thinking of nursing? Have a successful career in a growing field with a BS in Nursing from Southeastern University. Students will gain in-depth knowledge + hands-on clinic experience in both simulation labs and hospital settings. Learn more + apply.*
Drink
  • Love whiskey? Join Vinovest’s exclusive whiskey investing community and own your own casks hassle-free. Sell casks for a profit, or opt to bottle them to drink.*
 
Answered

We asked what you want to know about PCPS...

Nearly 40% of respondents said they’re school employees or volunteers, or related to one.

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Photo by @polkcountypublicschools

...and 50% of readers who responded to our poll said they’re most interested in feel-good stories about students and staff. Who doesn’t love a dose of good news from Polk County’s next generation?

Here’s where you come in. We’re on the hunt for tips about what’s happening in local schools, from athletic wins to creative new clubs to teacher achievements.

Are you a PCPS employee, teacher, or volunteer? Maybe you’re a parent with kids attending a Polk school. Send in your stories — bonus points if you include photos — and we may share them with readers to spread the good news.
Share your story
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The Wrap
 
Connor-Keith-Headshot-LAL

Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
If I could only order one thing at Mitchell’s for the rest of my life, it would be the coffee cake. I could wax poetic about how delicious it is, but the only way you’ll understand how amazing it is would be to try it yourself. Pair it with a pumpkin spice latte for a seasonal snack break.
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