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68º | Cloudy | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:19 a.m. | Sunset 5:44 p.m.
 

🪱 Calling all bookworms

Start a new chapter at one of Lakeland’s charming bookstores
A red cinder block building with a coming soon sign
Inklings Book Shoppe has moved downtown as of 2024. | Photo by LALtoday
Lakeland’s full of quaint + cozy bookstores where you can find your next read. Get ready to turn the page on your new favorite book at one of these local establishments throughout town.

Inklings Book Shoppe, 243 N. Florida Ave.
This antique + used bookseller formerly found on Combee Road is celebrating the grand opening of its new home in downtown Lakeland on Saturday, Jan. 6.

Pressed Books and Coffee, 213 E. Bay St.
Grab a hand-crafted coffee and shop for new releases, books by Lakeland authors, and used books. Pro tip: Follow the store’s Instagram to learn about special events, book clubs, and new drinks.

Bookends Used Books, 5100 US Hwy. 98 N., Ste. 4
Head to this indie bookstore in north Lakeland to trade in your books and shop for your next read.

A woman reaching for a book on a bookshelf lined with hardcover books.

Local bookshops are the best place to shop for local authors’ works.

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Photo by @crash_bookshop

Crash Bookshop, 3125 Bartow Rd.
This community bookstore located in Somos Church exists to amplify a diverse range of voices and stories. The store is open on a pop-up basis, so check out its Instagram for hours and curated books.

The Unbound Bookery, 1026 S. Florida Ave.
Visit this Dixieland bungalow to shop antique, vintage, used, and new books. Hunting for a difficult-to-find book? The experts here specialize in helping you find it.

Little Bus Books mobile bookshop

Find this iconic book bus at pop-ups around Polk.

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Photo by @littlebusbooks

Little Bus Books, 1047 E. Main St.
You can find this family-owned mobile bookshop all over Polk County as well as in The Nectary. It aims to reach middle-grade students, young adults, and adults with stories from diverse cultural perspectives.

Coliseum of Comics, 1517 Bartow Rd.
Comic book readers and collectors can peruse the stacks at this Grove Park Shopping Plaza storefront.

That’s not all. Check out our list of books by local authors and our guide to Lakeland libraries. Happy reading, Lakeland.
 
Events
Thursday, Jan. 4
Friday, Jan. 5
  • Swan City Improv Comedy Show! | Friday, Jan. 5 | 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+.
  • Stand-Up Friday with Lakeland Comedy | Friday, Jan. 5 | 8:30-10 p.m. | The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | $15 | Lakeland Comedy will host this event with hilarious local comics.
Saturday, Jan. 6
  • Caffeine & Gasoline at BSP | Saturday, Jan. 6 | 8-10 a.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free entry | Grab a coffee while you stroll through this car show — no registration is required to show off your ride.
Sunday, Jan. 7
  • Jim Thomas w/ Bad Dog BBQ | Sunday, Jan. 7 | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Grab a barbecue bite and enjoy live music with views of the lake.
Monday, Jan. 8
  • Off The Wall SOUL Line Dancing Class | Monday, Jan. 8 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Coleman Bush Building, 1104 Martin L. King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $5 | Get off the wall and on the dance floor at this weekly movement class.
Tuesday, Jan. 9
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Civic
  • The City of Lakeland swore in its newest city commissioner representing the Northwest District, Guy LaLonde Jr., on Monday morning. In the same meeting, Stephanie Madden was named Mayor Pro Tem, authorizing her to oversee commission meetings when the mayor isn’t present. (The Ledger)
Biz
  • The Apiary has closed a $25 million financing deal with FilmHedge, a film + TV finance company, for its future animation projects. The deal paves the way for producers to create new shows — like its current project “Echo in Space” — without needing to source capital.
Health
  • Flu, RSV, and COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Lakeland. At Lakeland Regional Health, the number of patients admitted with the flu and COVID-19 has doubled. Looking to maximize your time in the fresh air? Spend time in one of Lakeland’s 70+ parks. (WFLA)
Environment
  • Polk County is considering conserving nearly 650 acres of Lake Wales scrub land known as Friedlander Ranch. If added to the county’s Environmental Lands Program, the land would be protected from future development, ensuring that its rare flora + fauna would remain undisturbed. (Fox 13 News)
Active
  • Head to Lakeside Village for outdoor activities like zumba, pilates, and line dancing all month long. Each free one-hour fitness class will be led by a local expert. All classes take place on Wednesdays from 5 to 6 p.m. — bring your own mat and water.
Award
  • Bartow resident Alesha Truini was given the “Lifesaving Award” by the American Red Cross on Tuesday night in recognition of her act of heroism last May. Truini performed CPR on a boy who lost his pulse at the beach; she had been recertified in CPR the day before the incident. (WFTS)
Today Is
  • National Trivia Day. Celebrate with a round at your usual spot or go head-to-head with new teams at a fresh locale. Check out our guide to Lakeland trivia nights to plan your perfect outing — The Joinery, The Back Nine, and Winners Circle Sports Bar are hosting tonight.
Try This
  • Think you’re a scavenger hunt savant? Try Henry’s Hidden Train Hunt in downtown Plant City. Families can pick up maps from the Henry Plant cardboard cutout located outside the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum (102 N. Palmer St., Plant City). Find all 10 trains to win a prize from the museum. (WFTS)
Shop
Fun Fact
  • Did you know 37,000 of you welcome us into your inbox every morning? We’re asking you to take two minutes to tell us more about yourself so we can continue to write about things you find interesting. One lucky LAL survey participant will win $500. Take the survey.
Edu
  • Want to work in an industry where demand is high, wages are rising, and job openings are plentiful? There’s a reason so many are considering the skilled trades. See SEU’s Trades program, offering budget-friendly + earn-while-you-learn skilled trades degrees in construction, electrical services, HVAC, and more.*
Award
  • Well, this is worth noting. Proving to provide Florida travelers a first-class travel experience, Orlando International Airport (MCO) received 20+ awards and recognitions in 2023 from local, national, and global entities. See the list of accolades, which highlight MCO’s Terminal C, shopping + restaurant experiences, sustainability efforts, and more.*
 
Asked

🐉 Happy New Year, Lakeland

24 reader questions for 2024 in Lakeland, FL
A photo of downtown Lakeland lit up at nighttime.
Who knows what new additions we’ll see in Lakeland this year? | Photo via @twanthegreatest
The year of the Dragon — aka 2024 — is upon us, and while it isn’t technically one of the animals on the list, in Lakeland it’s also always the year of the swan.

Every year brings a whole new slew of reasons to have Swan City pride. Who knows what new restaurant might open, what skyline changes we might see downtown, or what Lakeland love letters Orange Blossom Poems might write? One thing is certain: We want to write about what matters to you the most.

That’s why we’re polling the crowd for questions you want answered in 2024 — any piece of Lakeland life you’ve always wanted to read into with your morning cup of coffee in hand. Want to know where to get the best breakfast bagel? The oldest businesses in Polk?

Submit your question to influence the stories you’ll read next year. It’s our resolution to answer 24 of them.
The Buy

The Buy 1.04.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Pvolve’s signature equipment bundle, so you can try the at-home functional fitness method that has proven results and a Clinical Advisory Board. Fun fact: Jennifer Aniston liked it so much, she joined the company.
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The Wrap
 
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Today’s edition by:
Rilee
From the editor
New year, new events. We want to include your events — whether they’re live music, 5Ks, silent auctions, markets, family festivals, or anything in between — on our public calendar. Submit your event to invite your fellow LALtoday readers. Pro tip: Follow these instructions.
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