Plus, civic organizations to know to stay informed.
 
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The wait is almost over, foodies

Downtown Winter Haven’s new Bowen Yard development nears completion
A rendering shows three buildings surrounding a pedestrian courtyard.
Get ready to gather, eat, chill. | Renderings by Alexine Polumbo, owner of Aviva Design Studio
Bowen Yard, a Winter Haven food and event space, is coming later this spring to the intersection of 4th Street and Avenue D Southwest. According to Beth Evans, director of leasing for developer Six/Ten LLC, the finished project will be similar to The Joinery, but “turned inside out.”

In addition to the existing SoCe Market, a new, full-size restaurant and bar and four smaller, synergistic food + drink concepts are also in the works — that means we’re looking at a total of six dining options when Bowen Yard is complete.

All six eateries were officially announced this week:
Progress photos of the Bowen Yard development in Winter Haven.

Grab a bite indoors and take it outside to the patio.

|

Photo via Six/Ten LLC

Between the dining options, patrons can eat, lounge, and enjoy live music on the shared, pedestrian-only outdoor gathering space. Picture this: Shady patios, lounging and dining furniture, and string lights. Did we mention it’s going to be pet-friendly?

Evans says patrons will be able to walk with their alcoholic beverages from space to space within Bowen Yard thanks to special permitting obtained by Six/Ten. Read: Grab your favorite cocktail and start up a game of cornhole with your friends.

This isn’t the only food hall coming soon near Lakeland. The Depot 303 is under construction in downtown Mulberry, featuring seven food vendors and indoor/outdoor space.

Six/Ten says Bowen Yard will open around April or May. What are you most looking forward to? Tell us below.
Asked

Which eatery are you most excited for?
A. SoCe Market
B. ATO
C. Maritime
D. The Lake House Kitchen
E. Hemingway’s Cuban Kitchen
F. Ripples Handcrafted Ice Cream
What has you goin' to Bowen Yard?
 
Events
Friday, Feb. 23
  • A Tribute To Bob Marley | Friday, Feb. 23 | 7 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | $10 | Don’t worry about a thing, just come to this concert by Firelight.
  • “Big: The Musical” | Friday, Feb. 23-Sunday, March 3 | Times vary | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave., Lakeland | $22-$28 | If you’re a fan of the Tom Hanks movie, don’t miss the theatrical version.
Saturday, Feb. 24
  • 26th Annual Mustang and Mustang Legends Having Fun Car Show | Saturday, Feb. 24 | 8 a.m.-4 p.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr., Lakeland | Free | Rev up your engines for a fun-filled car show featuring classic Mustangs + good times for car enthusiasts and more.*
  • Plantae-Palooza Garden Festival | Saturday, Feb. 24 | 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Hollis Garden, 702 E. Orange St., Lakeland | Free entry | Shop from vendors from across the state + chat with local garden clubs and specialty plant groups.
  • STEM in the Park | Saturday, Feb. 24 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Head to the Nature Center Classroom to learn about chemical reactions at this event for ages 6+.
Sunday, Feb. 25
  • Lakeland Record Fair, Volume III | Sunday, Feb. 25 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Rec Room, 202 N. Massachusetts Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Shop for vinyl records, CDs, and cassette tapes while a DJ plays.
  • Flamingo Bingo | Sunday, Feb. 25 | 2-4 p.m. | United Women’s Club of Lakeland, 1515 Williamsburg Sq., Lakeland | $20 | Play bingo and join raffles to raise funds for the GFWC Junior Woman’s Club of Lakeland.
  • K-Pop Bazaar Market | Sunday, Feb. 25 | 4 p.m. | Union Hall, 1023 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Sing along to your favorite K-Pop songs, play trivia, and shop from food + art vendors.
Plan your weekend
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Ranked
Number
  • $920,000. That’s how much PCPS could spend to add a ReaXium school bus tracking system this year, plus $633,000 per year for the next four years. ReaXium reports riders, ensures students take the right bus, and gives drivers directions. The school board will vote on Tuesday, Feb. 27. (LkldNow)
Read
  • The Lakeland Book Crawl will return from Monday, April 22 to Saturday, April 27, meaning savings from local independent booksellers. New this year: Itineraries for those who can only shop a few days of the event.
Concert
Community
  • Headed to an event at the RP Funding Center? Get familiar with the new bag policy that went into effect this week. Small clutches are allowed, but larger bags must be clear and meet size guidelines. (WFLA)
Kids
  • The Lakeland Symphony Orchestra’s Cookie Concert on Sunday, March 3 is programmed for kids to enjoy. Head to Branscomb Memorial Auditorium at FSC for a free concert at 2 p.m. Pro tip: Pre-show activities start at 1 p.m., and Publix offers free cookies after the performance.
Eat
  • Have you tried the strawberry cookies from Fancy Farms Market yet? The market uses a family recipe to make 100 dozen cookies every day during strawberry season — try them at 5204 Drane Field Rd. (Fox 13 News)
Plan Ahead
  • The undead will invade Swan City once again when Lakeland Zombiefest returns after 10 years. Details about this Halloween event have yet to be unearthed, but organizers say it will be held downtown again.
Seasonal
Wellness
  • If improving the look of your skin is on your self-care list, consider Lakeland Regional Health’s Cosmetic Dermatology — offering non-surgical options like Botox, Juvéderm, body sculpting + more. Learn more + book an appointment.*
Finance
  • These four credit cards offer 0% intro APR for up to 18 months — meaning that when life piles up (unexpected tax payments, medical appointments, picking up the bill for the whole table at Nineteen61...) — you could have almost two years to avoid interest charges.*
 
Civic

Names you should know

Stay informed and get active: Follow these resources in Lakeland
Interior of Lakeland City Hall Commission Chamber
Sit in on a City Commission meeting at City Hall. | Photo by the City of Lakeland
Parking updates, new developments, and city ordinances — who’s responsible for all the updates we see around town? Learn more about these various organizations you often see mentioned in our stories.

Lakeland City Commission

Lakeland’s City Commission is made up of seven members, elected by the people to represent a district or the city at-large. They hear from community members and vote on policy during bi-monthly meetings at City Hall, which you can watch in-person or online.

Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency (LCRA)

The LCRA works with the City Commission to reinvest tax dollars to improve the designated community areas of Dixieland, Midtown, and downtown Lakeland. Projects like The Joinery, The Well, and many others have been made possible through partnerships with the LCRA.

Lakeland Downtown Development Authority (LDDA)

The LDDA is responsible for the revitalization of our historic downtown, events like First Fridays + the Farmers Curb Market, and maintaining downtown’s aesthetic.
7 resources to stay informed
The Buy

The Buy 2.23.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
Chips and salsa, because honestly, is there a better snack? Sobremesa’s salsa is well worth the chip dip with flavors including layered, complex Mole Poblano + spicy Smoky Salsa Oaxaqueña.
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The Wrap
 
Connor Jacobson

Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
Thanks to everyone who sent in name suggestions for my new cat. In case you were wondering, Midnight was the most popular option. If you’re also naming a pet — or even a new baby — you can’t go wrong with these Lakeland-inspired names.
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