Plus, your recs for The Depot 303.
 
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Don’t call it a comeback

Which closed Lakeland business would you bring back?
maas brothers
Maas Brothers in downtown Lakeland, c. 1980s | Photo via Lakeland Public Library
The poet Alfred Lord Tennyson said it best: “‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” When it comes to bygone Lakeland businesses, we can’t help but agree — there are always some we wish we could visit again.

We once asked you which shuttered restaurants you would bring back if you could, and our readers gave us a full list of their past favorites. Now, we’re opening the floor for you to share love for all the businesses you miss the most.

An iced latte, blueberry muffin, and laptop sit on a table at the Unfiltered coffee shop in Lakeland, FL

Unfiltered Lakeland closed in December 2023.

|

Photo by LALtoday

City Editor Connor here. I’ll go first with a few foodie favorites. I wish I could stop by Unfiltered Lakeland for another morning coffee + a blueberry muffin or Red Door for dinner on the patio. A new concept (Peach House) is planned for Red Door’s building, but we haven’t heard any updates on Unfiltered’s spot on Main Street.

I was also a big Tuesday Morning fan, as I know many of our readers were. Progress is coming along on its former location in the Southgate Shopping Center, which will soon be a Michaels arts and crafts store. Looking back even further into Lakeland’s past, many downtown buildings were once home to beloved businesses that I would love to explore. My first stop would be the former Electric Theatre, the first of its kind in Lakeland.

Do you have a biz in mind? Tell us all about it below and we may share your thoughts in a future article.
Asked

Which closed business would you bring back?
Tell us which one deserves a second chance and why.
We're open to your suggestions
 
Events
Thursday, Feb. 15
  • Jukebox Bingo & The Aquarian Market | Thursday, Feb. 15 | 5-9 p.m. | The Yard on Mass, 802 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Listen for songs on your bingo card to win $10 off your tab, and find vegan food + goods at the market.
  • Polk at Nite | Thursday, Feb. 15 | 5-8 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art, 800 E. Palmetto St., Lakeland | $15-$80 | Get exclusive access to the museum’s new exhibit, “Rockwell/Wyeth: Icons of Americana,” plus small bites and craft cocktails by Cob & Pen.
Friday, Feb. 16
Saturday, Feb. 17
  • Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland, 210 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free entry | Find fresh produce, plants, and locally handcrafted items at this outdoor farmers market.
  • President’s Day Weekend Celebration | Saturday, Feb. 17-Monday, Feb. 19 | 10 a.m.-9 p.m. | Family Fun Center, 4825 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $24.99 | Kick off your three-day weekend with deals on arcade credits + attractions.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
Family

Aerospace academic achievement program lifts off
Young boy in an orange shirt walks toward an airplane
ACEs High rewards local youth for being a star student and good citizen. | Photo via Unsplash
Attention parents with aspiring aviators: Looking for a way to inspire your student to succeed in school? The Aerospace Center for Excellence has you covered.

The center’s ACEs High academic achievement program offers free + exciting rewards to Polk County students ages 11-17. Think: A free flight in an airplane (yes, you read that right).

With year-long incentives, students are rewarded with:
  • Discovery Flight in a real airplane
  • Personalized military-style flight suit
  • A visit to the Kennedy Space Center
  • And more
See all rewards + join ACEs high
News Notes
Sports
  • The Detroit Tigers have arrived in Lakeland for their 88th Spring Training. Workouts began yesterday in preparation for their first game on Saturday, Feb. 24. Welcome the team at the Tiger BBQ on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 6-8 p.m.
Traffic
  • Orange Street will close daily, 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. for the next few weeks for sewer line repairs, but Kitty Cat Lounge is still open. To visit the cat cafe, enter Orange Street from South Ingraham Avenue, past the “local traffic only” sign. (LkldNow)
Community
  • What do you think the Lakeland Public Library needs? Submit your thoughts to this community survey to influence the library’s programs, offerings, and locations for the next five to 10 years.
Edu
  • Progress is coming along on Florida Polytechnic University’s third residence hall, which is set to be complete by the fall semester. The 137,000-sqft dorm with 430 beds will help the school keep up with rising student enrollment.
Number
  • Citrus Connection operator Barbara Rogers recently reached an impressive milestone — or should we say, 5 million milestone. Rogers was recognized for driving 5 million miles over her career, equal to nearly 21 trips to the moon.
Active
  • Hop on your bicycle for the Slow Roll & Ski Show this Saturday, Feb. 17 in downtown Winter Haven. This community bike ride will set off from The Bike Shop Of Winter Haven and roll toward the Cypress Gardens Ski Show at 3:30 p.m. Sign up online.
Eat
  • Don’t make the mis-steak of missing the culmination of the Florida Triple Crown of BBQ competition. Enjoy live music and barbecue eats at Ribs on the Ridge this Friday and Saturday, Feb. 16-17 — and see the pitmasters square for the final time, with only one being crowned Triple Crown winner.*
Job
  • Interested in working in education? Polk County Catholic Schools has multiple job openings for teachers + school staff. Bonus: See the benefits of working at one of their five local schools and why PCCS educators work love what they do.*
Featured Deal
  • When’s the best time to update your HVAC? Answer: Before you need it (read: before summer temps set in). Get 36 months of 0% financing with approved credit on all new Carrier HVAC systems. Snag the deal.*
Try This
  • Want to advertise with us but not sure where to start? Check out our self-service advertising, a quick and easy way to get acquainted with our local audience through Listings, Banner Ads, and Articles. Get started today.
Wellness
  • Regain’s couples therapy is accessible via phone, text, and video call and is FSA/HSA-friendly. Get 25% off your first month for Valentine’s Day.*
 
The Buy

The Buy 2.15.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Some stylish sunglasses by Rheos or I Am Girl Stephanie, because we’re dreaming about summer and soaking up sunny rays. Pro tip: With the days already getting longer, it’s never too soon to start protecting your eyes.
Answered

What are you hoping for at this new food hall?

Get a sneak peek at The Depot 303, Mulberry’s first food hall
A bar graph showing the results of a poll asking which cuisine readers most want to see at The Depot 303. The results, from most popular to least, are seafood, tacos, burgers, and sushi, and 23% opted for something else.
Sounds like you’re hoping to see seafood. | Graphic by LALtoday
We recently filled you in on progress at The Depot 303, a new food hall under construction in downtown Mulberry. Since it will have space for seven food vendors, we asked which cuisine you most want to see there.

Nearly 200 of you sent in your answers + another 23% sent in more ideas for what the food hall should offer.

These were some of the most common suggestions:
  • Vegan options
  • Barbecue
  • Italian food
  • Asian cuisine
  • Coffee + baked goods
Feedback also poured in on social media. On Instagram, @jennjillmartini said, “Happy to see Mulberry in the spotlight! Can’t wait for this to open.” The team at @sunkavacbd also expressed excitement, saying, “Having grown up in Mulberry, this is so beautiful to witness.”
See renderings of The Depot 303
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The Wrap
 
Connor Jacobson

Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
Be sure to take the library’s survey to inform its long-term decisions. Not sure what the library offers? Read up on all the perks of having a Lakeland Public Library card. My favorite are the free e-book rentals.
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