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Today’s Forecast

77º | Light thunderstorms and rain | 90% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:20 a.m. | Sunset 5:49 p.m.
 

👀 Lakeland then and now

How Lakeland has changed: Then and now in photos
The Bryant Block in downtown Lakeland circa 1990 compared to today.
The corner spot that houses Harry’s Seafood used to house Fat Catz — did you ever dine there? | Left photo via City of Lakeland Public Library, right photo via LALtoday
We recently quizzed you on four historic buildings in downtown Lakeland. Keep reading to learn more about the origins and current states of some of the buildings you walk by each day.

Bryant Block

This corner building home to Harry’s Seafood Bar and Grille is known for its Neo-Georgian façades, truncated corner entrance, and red brick + cast iron exterior. Built in 1904 after a fire decimated an entire block east of Munn Park, the building has housed several businesses, drugstores, and restaurants like Fat Catz. Next door, downtown shoppers could grab necessities from a five-and-dime store in the Kress Building and a corner drug store.

Clonts Building

The Clonts Building in Lakeland then and now

This red brick round tower is a staple of downtown Lakeland.

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Left photo via City of Lakeland Public Library, right photo via @nicolefeller_

One of Lakeland’s more picturesque downtown buildings has housed dry goods businesses, a cigar company, a sporting goods store, salons, and more. Over a century later, the 1903 Richardsonian Romanesque-style Clonts Building still houses several businesses. Stop by to see its iconic arched windows and round tower.

Bowyer Building

The Bowyer Building in Lakeland then and now.

Find the Bowyer Building across Kentucky Avenue from the Clonts Building.

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Left photo via City of Lakeland Public Library, right photo by LALtoday

The Bowyer Building is Lakeland’s oldest standing commercial building, built in 1902 by a former Lakeland mayor. In 1907, it housed the Electric Theatre, Lakeland’s first movie house. Today, you can stop by this piece of Lakeland history to shop for apparel and accessories from Amelia Paige Boutique.

The Orange Blossom Hotel

Did you know Lakeland’s last standing railroad hotel can be found on North Kentucky Avenue? Identify the 1916 construction by its tin roof and wide, covered porches. You can be completely sure you’ve found the right place if you can find the exterior wash house still standing on the building’s east side.
More then + now photos
 
Events
Wednesday, Nov. 29
  • Live Trivia w/ Brother Burgers | Wednesday, Nov. 29 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Put your knowledge to the test at this night of general trivia, brews, and food from Brother Burgers.
Thursday, Nov. 30
  • Discovering Bok Tower Gardens Guided Tour | Thursday, Nov. 30 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales | $5-$27 | Take a walking tour of the gardens to learn about their history and design.
  • Pits & Pints | Thursday, Nov. 30 | 4-9 p.m. | The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Head to this midtown venue to support the Polk County Bully Project with a portion of the proceeds from your tab.
Friday, Dec. 1
  • Coffee and Carols | Friday, Dec. 1 | 7-9 p.m. | Pressed, 213 E. Bay St., Lakeland | Free entry | Raise your voice at a community singalong with Swan City Children’s Choir.
  • Swan City Improv Comedy Show! | Friday, Dec. 1 | Times vary | Rec Room, 202 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $10-$15 | Laugh along at these improvised comedy shows — all ages are welcome to the 7:30 p.m. show and the 9:30 p.m. show is 21+.
Saturday, Dec. 2
  • Yoga in the Vines | Saturday, Dec. 2 | 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, Dec. 3
  • Lakeland Women’s Day | Sunday, Dec. 3 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland | Free | Treat yourself to free beauty treatments and wellness demos — parking is $10.
Friday, Dec. 15
  • Light Up BSP | Friday, Dec. 15-Sunday, Dec. 31 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Celebrate the season with free nightly holiday-themed events, including live music concerts, visits with Santa, seasonal food + drinks, family-friendly activities, and so much more.*
Events calendar here
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Holiday

LALtoday Holiday Picks: Lakeland Symphony Orchestra
LALtoday Lakeland Symphony Orchestra 11.29.23
Tickets to the Symphony make a perfect gift for the music lover in your life. | Photo provided by LMT Photography
Sleigh your holiday gift list this season with the help of our carefully crafted local business highlights, starting with the timeless sounds of the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra.

Here are our top Holiday Tix Picks:
Give the gift of music
News Notes
Civic
  • Early walk-in voting is underway at the Polk County Government Operations Center. Stop by through Friday, Dec. 1, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., to vote in the runoff election for the Lakeland City Commission NW District seat. The regular runoff election will be held Tuesday, Dec. 5. (LkldNow)
Ranked
  • No. 73. That’s what Lakeland ranked on WalletHub’s list of Best College Towns in America under small cities. The study compared 415 small, medium, and large college towns and cities using metrics like “wallet friendliness,” social environment, and academic + economic opportunities. (WalletHub)
Cause
  • Participate in a drive-thru Make-A-Wish parade for Lakeland child Braxton Criss on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. Criss is one of 47 people worldwide with an HNRNP genetic mutation. The nine-year-old is currently in at-home hospice care. Learn more about joining 100+ other Lakelanders for the parade. (The Ledger)
Edu
  • Join the PCPS Learning Support Division for its annual symposium on Saturday, Dec. 2. Attendees can sit in on two sessions led by leaders from the Behavior and Mental Health, ESE, and Student Services departments to learn about their services.
Arts
Community
  • The Wreaths Across America program is bringing community-sponsored wreaths to the graves of veterans at four Lakeland cemeteries this holiday season. Lakeland sites include Oak Hill Burial Park, Tiger Flowers Cemetery, Roselawn Cemetery, and Lakeview Cemetery. Wreath sponsorships start at $17. (The Ledger)
Number
  • 10,000. That’s how many Lakelanders have joined Anchors in the Storm, a public group where neighbors can assist one another with donations and other services. So far, the group has donated 75 trees to Lakelanders in need. Donations of new, unwrapped toys are also being accepted. (WFTS)
Holiday
  • Need gift ideas? Give the gift of lifelong memories by booking a flight to anywhere the world can take you (think: street wandering in Amsterdam, skiing in Canada, beaching it in the Caribbean). Bonus: These airfare deals can make it happen.*
Finance
  • We aren’t given many 21-month grace periods. Oil checks, doctor appointments, Tax Day... time speeds by between them. But The Ascent found a credit card offering 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months — among the longest we’ve seen to avoid interest charges. Learn more.*
Shop
  • Which ugly Christmas sweater would you choose? We’re liking: The Santa hat-topped wine glass or the “Home Alone” print featuring Catherine O’Hara.*
 
Coming Soon

It’s time to get hungry

Restaurant Roundup: Meet your new favorite Lakeland restaurants
Exterior shot of a gray building downtown.
Hakucho is bringing Japanese small plates downtown. | Photo by LALtoday
Some people make to-do lists, we make to-dine lists. We’ve got details on several Swan City restaurants coming soon.

Hakucho, 207 E. Main St., Lakeland | Izakaya | Projected opening: Spring 2024
Japanese-inspired small plates (think: Similar to a Spanish tapas bar, but with Japanese food) are coming to this longtime vacant spot between Linksters Taproom and Black & Brew Coffee House and Bistro on Main Street.

Bandidas, 1755 E. Edgewood Dr., Lakeland | Pastries | Projected opening: Early 2024
Owners Gabriella and Giovanna Favilli-Vigoreaux plan to sell baked goods Wednesday-Sunday. Breakfast, lunch, and grab + go options will also be enjoyed indoors or on the patio.

Peach House, 733 E. Palmetto St. | Nomadic | Projected opening: Early 2024
The owners of Revival are opening a new food concept at the former home of Red Door. Expect plates inspired by flavors from places like the Mediterranean, New Orleans, and Florida, to name a few.
Meet your new favorite eatery
The Buy

The Buy 11.29.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Anything off of this year’s Oprah’s Favorite Things list. We’re seeing: luxury flaky sea salt, all-weather boots, fleece robes, and a baked brie board.
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The Wrap
 
Rilee-Delgado-Headshot-LAL

Today’s edition by:
Rilee
From the editor
I’m excited to see another vacant Lakeland storefront taken off the market. That begs the question — which vacant storefronts in Lakeland do you want to see filled? Bonus points if you tell us what you’d like to see in it.
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