01.29.2024

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Today’s Forecast

60º | Clear | 0% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:16 a.m. | Sunset 6:05 p.m.

Hungry for more dining options?

Restaurant Roundup: Meet your new favorite Lakeland restaurants

The front patio at Andrew's Coffee, formerly known as happyfastdelicious. The building is white with purple trim, accented with trees and plants, and yellow seating.

Stop by Andrew’s Coffee to drive thru or enjoy the patio. | Photo by LALtoday

You’ve come to the right place. Many hot new Lakeland restaurants have opened over the past several months, from Bedrock Wings’ new downtown location to Crave Hot Dogs & Barbecue on the north side.

To satisfy those who are starving for fresh eateries, we’ve got details on several more Swan City restaurants coming soon, too. Grab your forks as we dig right in.

Andrew’s Coffee, 3601 S. Florida Ave. | Coffee
Formerly known as happyfastdelicious, this coffee shop is a new concept from the same owners and staff that opened on Friday. The building itself has a fresh paint job, an updated patio, and a new ordering system — customers also have more drink options at lower prices.

Low and Slow Smokehouse, 1853 E. Memorial Blvd. | Barbecue
This North Carolina-based eatery offers barbecue classics like brisket, burgers, fried pickles, and shrimp + grits. End your meal with the Sheriff Judd dessert: two MoonPies served with vanilla ice cream.

The dining area of The Peach Cobbler Factory, which is decorated with orange walls, light wood floors, and orange chairs. The ordering counter has a printed design with words like "sugar" and "cobbler." — Here’s what we have to look forward to.
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Photo by @foodsandbrews864

The Peach Cobbler Factory, 5261 US Hwy. 98 S., Ste. 8C | Desserts | Projected opening: TBA
Get ready for Southern-style desserts like banana pudding, brownies, cookies, and — of course — many different types of cobbler. This location will come to the Highland City Town Center plaza.

Hakucho, 207 E. Main St. | Izakaya | Projected opening: Spring 2024
Japanese-inspired small plates (think: similar to a Spanish tapas bar) are coming soon to a long vacant spot downtown. This eatery is coming to you from the same local owners of Sabu Ramen, located in The Joinery, who tell us they’re eyeing a June opening.

Mootown Scoops, 719 E. Palmetto St., Ste. 3 | Ice cream | Projected opening: TBA
Max Miller, owner of Blue Dog Craft Barbecue in The Joinery, is behind this new ice cream shop coming to the Lake Morton area. Expect a great playlist — the shop will have a Motown theme.

19 more eateries

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Events

Monday, Jan. 29

Off The Wall SOUL Line Dancing Class | Monday, Jan. 29 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Coleman Bush Building, 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | $5 | Get off the wall and on the dance floor at this weekly movement class.
Resin Art Class | Monday, Jan. 29 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | $66 | Free pour resin to create a one-of-a-kind serving board to take home.

Tuesday, Jan. 30

Pancreatic Cancer Seminar | Tuesday, Jan. 30 | 6-7 p.m. | Watson Clinic Main Library, 1600 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Learn about the latest research and treatment from a general surgeon and surgical oncologist, Dr. Dany Barrak.
Jazz Faculty Highlights Volume 4: The Music of Thelonious Monk | Tuesday, Jan. 30 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Anne MacGregor Jenkins Recital Hall, Florida Southern College, 1100 Johnson Ave., Lakeland | Free | Director of Jazz Studies Jeffrey Benatar will lead a group playing Monk’s works.

Wednesday, Jan. 31

Yogalates | Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 5-6 p.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Free | All fitness levels are welcome at this hybrid yoga + pilates class on the lawn — bring your own mat and water.
The Book Was Better Movie Night | Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 6-9 p.m. | Pressed Books & Coffee, 213 E. Bay St., Lakeland | Free entry | Watch “Little Women” (2019) and shop merch, coffee, and books.

Thursday, Feb. 1

From Slavery to Community Builder: The L.B. Brown Story | Thursday, Feb. 1 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library, 100 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland | Free | Attend this public lecture to learn about LB Brown from experts Charles Warren and Clifton Lewis.
Trivia at Crave | Thursday, Feb. 1 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ, 2250 Griffin Rd., Lakeland | Free entry | Don’t miss the first trivia night at Crave — prizes are on the line.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Eat

Ready, set, grill: Grills Gone Wild returns Feb. 9-10

meat cooking on a grill with flames coming up and a person's hand in the top left corner

Barbecue pitmasters will cook up four meats for the competition: pork, chicken, beef, and brisket. | Photo via Pexels

It’s a year of firsts for Grills Gone Wild.

Not only is the barbecue competition partnering with the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) for the first time, but it is also one of three barbecue competition events included in the inaugural Triple Crown of BBQ.

Happening Friday, Feb. 9-Saturday, Feb. 10 in Davenport, the second leg of the Triple Crown competition includes:

Live music + food trucks
Kids zone
Multiple vendors
Professional judging of pitmaster-created barbecue eats (select tastings offered)

See the pitmasters square off

News Notes

Number

$112,500. That’s how much it will cost the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority to install and maintain security cameras over the next decade. The LDDA aims to increase safety by installing cameras at 14 downtown locations — see where. (The Ledger)

Traffic

Crews are replacing a sewer main on Griffin Road, closing the intersection at Providence Road. Detours are expected through the end of February when work on the street, curbs, and sidewalks will begin.

Older Adults

Just like our winter visitors from up north, the Snowbird Extravaganza is returning to Lakeland. The two-day event takes place tomorrow and Wednesday at the RP Funding Center, bringing information + entertainment for snowbirds. Admission is free, but parking is $10. (The Ledger)

Cause

Registration is open for the Lakeland CROP Hunger Walk, happening Sunday, Feb. 25. This fundraiser will benefit Talbot House Ministries, Lighthouse Ministries, and other global organizations that provide meals for those in need.

Family

There are many new features for families to enjoy at SUN ‘n FUN this year. The revamped Future ‘n Flight Plaza will include a Family Oasis, activities for Junior ACEs, and daycare options.

Drink

Ax-Caliber is raising the bar — literally. The ax-throwing venue and coffeehouse will add even more offerings when the Blade & Barrel Bar opens this Friday at 4 p.m. Visit the grand opening and get discounts on new cocktails and small bites.

Edu

Students of all ages can learn something new on a field trip to Bonnet Springs Park. The park has expanded its self-guided field trip opportunities, and guided trips are also available for booking.

Real Estate

👋 Hey, neighbors

Find your ideal Lakeland neighborhood

A residential street in the Lincoln Square neighborhood in Lakeland. The street is lined with bungalow-style homes, each with a manicured lawn and sidewalk in the front yards.

Midtown is one of the Lakeland CRA’s redevelopment areas, meaning new options for residents. | Screenshot via Google Maps

We recently shared our quiz that matches you with a Lakeland neighborhood and, nearly 800 responses later, the most popular neighborhood was Midtown.

Looking for a home in the Midtown area? Here are a few recommendations for new movers.

Eat: Sweet Cup Cafe. Grab a seat on this restaurant’s patio for fresh Mexican food, including tacos, aguas frescas, and more — we recommend grabbing a hot churro after your meal.
Outdoors: Lake Parker Park. Play a game of pickleball or lawn bowling, or take your boat out on Lakeland’s largest lake at this public park.
Explore: Lakeland Flying Tigers. When the Detroit Tigers aren’t spring training, head to Joker Marchant Stadium at Publix Field to cheer on our local Minor League Baseball team.

See which neighborhood fits your lifestyle best by taking our two-minute quiz, and click below to explore more communities.

8 more neighborhoods

The Buy

The Buy 1.29.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Thermal, fleece-lined leggings that look like sheer tights. Pair them with your favorite skirts and dresses to keep your legs toasty this winter.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Connor

From the editor

Which new eatery has you the most excited? I’m looking forward to seeing what Hakucho brings downtown, and I’m also ready to camp out for the opening of the Peach Cobbler Factory.

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