Plus, $2.6 million for RP Funding Center
 
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77º | Light thunderstorms and rain | 90% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:20 a.m. | Sunset 5:49 p.m.
 

🔮 We see your foodie future

Restaurant Roundup: Meet your new favorite Lakeland restaurants
An exterior shot of Jessie's on Edgewood.
A drive-thru option is coming soon to this new spot. | Photo provided
Some people make to-do lists — we make to-dine lists. Grab your forks as we dig right in.

Newly open

Food + Beer, 3615 S. Florida Ave., Ste. 1350, Lakeland | American
This modern sports bar serves made-from-scratch food until 2 a.m. Try a wide variety of good eats and drinks like Tin Can Nachos, burgers, and the Strawberry Feels Spritz while watching one of the 38 TVs.

Sushi Masa, 5700 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Sushi
Looking for rolls as far as the eye can sea? Lakeland’s newest sushi spot offers endless lunch and dinner specials.

Jessie’s Gourmet Sandwich Cafe, 1825 E. Edgewood Dr., Lakeland | Sandwiches
We’ve got your lunch plans right here, Lakeland — Jessie’s Gourmet Sandwich Cafe opened on Edgewood Drive in late September. Stop by for hot + cold sandwiches, plus vegetarian options. A drive-thru option will be coming soon.

Coming soon

LAL_Crumbl_Cookies_June_2023

Crumbl Cookies is coming between PetSmart and Van Spa & Nails.

|

Photo by LALtoday

Crumbl Cookies, 919 Lakeland Park Center Dr., Ste. 370, Lakeland | Desserts | Projected opening: Fall 2023
Visions of pink boxes are dancing in our heads. An opening date is TBA, but you can already find signage between PetSmart and Van Spa & Nails, just a short walk away from Dick’s Sporting Goods, Ross, Ulta, and more.

Bedrock Wings, 127 S. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | American | Projected opening: TBA
The restaurant coming to the former location of Pita Pit in downtown Lakeland specializes in chicken wings, burgers, sandwiches, and more. Sam Joaquim — Bedrock’s owner and a native Lakelander — recently purchased the property and plans to keep this location open late.

Island Breeze Tiki Bar, 201 E. Main St., Lakeland | Tiki bar | Projected opening: TBA
Soon, you won’t need to make a beach trip to enjoy your favorite tropical drinks. Island Breeze will bring blended tropical beverages and an updated facade to the location formerly home to Dart World Gaming Arena.

Is your most-anticipated eatery not on our list? Tell us what you’re looking forward to — we trust you have good taste.
6 more fresh food spots
Asked

How often do you eat out at restaurants per month?
A. Every day
B. A few times a week
C. A few times a month
D. Never
We're craving your answer
Grasslands West Investments LLC
 
Events
Monday, Oct. 2
  • 12th Annual Pumpkin Latte Giveaway | Monday, Oct. 2-Wednesday, Oct. 4 | 7-11 a.m. | Locations vary | $1 | Visit Black & Brew locations to donate $1 or more to United Way of Central Florida and receive a free Pumpkin Pie Latte.
Tuesday, Oct. 3
  • Halloween Trivia at Keel Farms | Tuesday, Oct. 3 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Keel Farms, 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City | Free entry | How well do you know the history of this haunted holiday?
  • Tacos, Margaritas + BINGO! At The Back Nine | Tuesday, Oct. 3 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | The Back Nine, 124 S. Tennessee Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Snag deals on tacos and margarita flights while you compete for five in a row.
Wednesday, Oct. 4
  • BSP Photo Club | Wednesday, Oct. 4 | 5-6 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Photography enthusiasts can bring a camera to snap pictures in the park with other photographers.
Thursday, Oct. 5
  • North-West District Debate: Lakeland City Commission | Thursday, Oct. 5 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Just Dance Academy, 124 S. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | Free | Swan Forums and the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Polk County will host this debate and Q+A with city commission candidates.
Friday, Oct. 6
  • First Friday: Cookie Carnival | Friday, Oct. 6 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland, 117 N. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Be a cookie judge at this downtown event with food trucks, shops open late, and a makers’ market.
Saturday, Oct. 7
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
Payne Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. c/o McQueen Marketing
 
Holiday

🎁 Spread local love this holiday season with gift boxes from Catapult’s entrepreneurs
Catapult’s Holiday Gift Boxes.jpg
Catapult’s Holiday Gift Boxes are filled with locally sourced gifts and goodies made by Catapult’s entrepreneurs and alumni. | Photo by Allie Brinton
If you’re a Lakelander looking to share your love for local products this holiday season, Catapult has you covered with their Catapult Holiday Gift Boxes.

These boxes are filled with locally sourced treasures from Catapult’s entrepreneurs and alumni (think: sweet treats + savory snacks made right here in Lakeland), making them perfect for corporate gifting, surprises for distant friends, or heartwarming gestures to uplift your neighbors.

With prices from $30 to $90, Catapult’s Holiday Gift Boxes offer multiple ways to express your gratitude and holiday wishes. Pre-orders are open now through Nov. 20.

Bonus: Enjoy nationwide shipping or local pickup to share the love of Lakeland with everyone, near or far.
Peek inside Catapult's Holiday Gift Boxes
News Notes
Number
  • $2.6 million. That’s what a new roof over the RP Funding Center’s Jenkins Arena will cost. The Lakeland City Commission is voting today on whether or not to approve funding for the new roof, which sustained damage during Hurricane Ian last year. (LkldNow)
Real Estate
  • A 1925 Dixieland home is being renovated by its new owner two years after it was severely damaged by a fire. Many wanted to demolish the property, but a friend of the former owner purchased the Tudor Revival-style home to preserve it. It could be completed in ~18 months. (The Ledger)
Learn
  • Florida Polytechnic University is hosting a panel discussion exploring the ethics and use of AI on Tuesday, Oct. 3. This event is open to the public — head to the Advanced Research Center, room 2200, at 4 p.m. to listen to the panel.
History
Try This
  • It’s never too early to start holiday shopping. Head to Banquet61 for Haute Air Design’s Holiday Market on Thursday, Oct. 5. Starting at 6 p.m., you can sip + shop from vendors like The Jewelry Box of Lakeland, East of These, Gathered Ground Coffee, and more.
Concert
  • Renowned Irish tenor Anthony Kearns of The Dublin Grand Opera Society is performing at Florida Southern College on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for children and $20 for adults — reserve yours online.
Arts
  • Learn about the illustration process in the Polk Museum of Art’s new exhibition “Illustrations from the Mirror: The Art of Ahmad Taylor” through Feb. 4, 2024. Pro tip: Register for Taylor’s ArtLab on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. The lab is free for PMOA members, $5 for non-members.
Cause
  • A fundraiser for Flight to Honor 9 is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 19 at the Florida Air Museum (4075 James C. Ray Dr., Lakeland). Each $75 ticket includes catered appetizers from Frescos, paired wines, a museum tour, auctions, and a presentation from Judge Greg Holder.
Finance
  • One platform is unlocking the $1.7 trillion “billionaires asset class” for everyday investors. Introducing Masterworks, an award-winning platform for investing in blue-chip art. Investors have benefited from 16 sales with returns including 13.9%, 27.3%, and 35.0%. Interested? LALtoday readers can skip the waitlist and join.†*
† Past performance is not indicative of future returns; investing involves risk. See disclosures masterworks . com/cd
 
History

Buckle up, it’s time for street smarts

A guide to Lakeland’s streets + the history behind them
dm2852
Aerial view of the research aircraft at the EAA Fly-in circa 1990 | Photo via Florida Memory
Ever wonder about some of the historic buildings on some of Lakeland’s oldest streets? Let’s look at the roads you drive down every day and some of the historic spots that live (or lived) on each one.

Airport Road | While not located directly off of Airport Road, the road’s namesake, aka Lakeland Linder International Airport, is located at the intersection on Drane Field Road. Here, the first version of the Florida Air Museum, at the time a mini-museum, opened at Hangar A, among other historical events.

Bay Street | In 1925, the Studebaker Building, an auto repair garage and sales showroom, was erected. It also housed the Crescent Club, an active social group, until its refurbishment in 1933.

Bella Vista Street | In 1955, Achievement Academy, which was then referred to as United Cerebral Palsy, opened its doors for the first time. The organization eventually opened as a charter school for children with special needs.
8 more streets
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The Wrap
 
Rilee-Delgado-Headshot-LAL

Today’s edition by:
Rilee
From the editor
Happy October, Lakeland. A new month means new events, fall festivities, and looking ahead to the holiday season. Add your events to our online calendar — I’ll consider it a personal invitation.
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