Plus, downtown event canceled.
 
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Today’s Forecast

81º | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:29 a.m. | Sunset 7:40 p.m.

LAL_High Tower Roofing_Weather Sponsorship_7.1.2023-6.30.2025

 
It’s time for something new
The exterior of the new south Lakeland Michaels store with a red "Michaels" sign on the facade.
Which new spot are you most excited to visit first? | Photo by LALtoday
Every time we look around, it seems like something new is popping up in Lakeland. Whether you’re looking for your next go-to brunch destination or a new public park to stretch your legs, we’re rounding up a few things coming soon to the Swan City area.

Business

Publix Super Market at Lake Miriam Square, 4730 S. Florida Ave. | Opening summer 2025 | Full store remodel including a 4,200-sqft increase, mezzanine seating, and new liquor store + pharmacy

Michaels, 2625 S. Florida Ave. | Opening TBA | Lakeland’s second location for this arts and crafts supplier

The exterior of the former Petals The Flower Shoppe store inside a white stucco, one-story building. The entrance is covered by a portico and surrounded by landscaped bushes.

This vacant building could soon house an ice cream shop and a wine bar.

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Photo by LALtoday

Dining

Bright Ice Scoop Shop + unnamed wine bar, 1212 S. Florida Ave. | Opening TBA | Ice cream shop and bar that could split and lease space in the former space of Petals The Flower Shoppe

Amonie Jo’s Coffee Co., 401 S. Florida Ave. | Opening spring 2024 | Organic coffee bar and cafe open for breakfast and lunch

The Depot 303, 303 NW 1st Ave., Mulberry | Opening spring 2024 | A 14,000-sqft food hall with seven vendors and a bar in downtown Mulberry

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The museum’s expansion will mean even more art on display.

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Rendering by Straughn Trout Architects

Recreation

On Dog Time, 145 N. Lake Ave. | Opening early 2024 | An enclosed park for large + small dogs across the street from Lakeland Fire Station 1

Polk Museum of Art expansion, 800 E. Palmetto St. | Opening summer 2024 | A $6 million expansion including new galleries and classrooms, plus renovations to the existing museum space

Three Parks Trail extension, Westover Street and Cleveland Heights Boulevard | Opening late 2024 | Additional multi-use trails to connect Peterson Park, Woodlake Park, and Publix Charities Park

Community

Lakeland Regional Health freestanding emergency department, 6150 S. Florida Ave. | Opening early 2025 | Construction is ongoing for a freestanding emergency department in south Lakeland.

Veterans Administration (VA) clinic, adjacent to the Sam’s Club on Lakeland Highlands Road | Opening 2024 | VA care including home-based primary care, mental health services, audiology, and more
 
Asked
 
How many new openings did we help you discover?
A. Barely any — I’m the first to know everything
B. There were a few I hadn’t heard of
C. Most of them
D. These were all news to me
 
 
Events
 
Thursday, March 21
  • “Reflection” Student Art Exhibition Opening Reception | Thursday, March 21 | 5:30-7 p.m. | COhatch, 211 E. Main St., Lakeland | Free | Florida Southern College art students will display their work March 21-27, starting with this reception.
  • Ruth Elder: American Girl | Thursday, March 21 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Lakeland Public Library, 100 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland | Free | Learn about this female pilot who trained in Lakeland in an engaging lecture.
  • Trivia at Crave | Thursday, March 21 | 6:30-9:30 p.m. | Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ, 2250 Griffin Rd., Lakeland | Free entry | Don’t miss this event hosted by Dang Yo Trivia — prizes are on the line.
Friday, March 22
  • A Night at the Opera…Scenes | Friday, March 22 | 7 p.m. | Oasis Community Church, 3330 Winter Lake Rd., Lakeland | $0-$5 | Hear Southeastern University School of Music students perform opera selections.
  • Zumba Toning | Friday, March 22 | 7-8 p.m. | Just Dance Academy, 124 S. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland | $10-$15 | Blend body sculpting techniques and Zumba moves at this strength training experience.
Saturday, March 23
  • STEM in the Park | Saturday, March 23 | 7 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park, 400 Bonnet Springs Blvd., Lakeland | Free | Learn about the earth’s slowest and fastest creatures and meet animal ambassadors.
  • Black History Festival | Saturday, March 23 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Jackson Park, 1104 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Lakeland | Free entry | Celebrate Black history with family activities in the park, plus history exhibits inside the Coleman-Bush Building.
Sunday, March 24
  • Lakeland Punk Rock Flea Market: Volume 8 | Sunday, March 24 | 12-6 p.m. | Swan Brewing, 115 W. Pine St., Lakeland | Free entry | Rock and roll down to this family-friendly flea market celebrating all things punk rock.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
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Lakelander
 
A lifetime of making an impact in education
Two people in suit jackets stand in a hallway, smiling as they flip through a children's book.
Pamela Craven, Executive Director of LRC, and April Mullins, Relationship Manager at Bank of Central Florida. | Photo provided by Bank of Central Florida, Member FDIC
Pamela Craven has devoted more of her life than just about anyone to educating Florida children.

She spent the last 21 years here in Polk County, where she is currently the Executive Director of the Polk County Learning Resource Center (LRC). Before that, Craven worked for more than 27 years as a public school teacher.

With support from Bank of Central Florida, Craven + the LRC have worked to combat what she describes as a growing education crisis.
 
News Notes
 
Travel
  • Avelo’s passenger flight destinations and start dates will be announced once LAL receives TSA approval for its security plan. Airport director Kris Hallstrand says the airport and airline communicate daily in preparation for operations to begin this summer. (WFLA)
Health
Concert
  • Tomorrow’s Friday Night Live event in Munn Park has been canceled due to a high chance of rain. Mark your calendar for the next outdoor concert on Friday, April 19 featuring Proper Wednesday.
Cause
  • The Bealsville community will hold its third jazz concert this weekend to raise funds for maintenance at the historic Glover School. Buy tickets for “Jazz Under the Trees” this Saturday, March 23, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at 5104 Horton Rd., Plant City to hear from six musical acts. (The Ledger)
Film
  • Southeastern University students will screen their short films at the Fire Film Festival this Saturday, March 23. Head to SEU’s Buena Vida Auditorium at 1 p.m. to watch 19 entries, followed by an afterparty + awards. Registration required.
Sports
  • A Lakeland Christian School girls soccer player and coach have been honored for their performances on the field. KJ Straub was chosen as the Florida Dairy Farmers Class 2A girls soccer player of the year, and Jason Streets is up for overall coach of the year. (The Ledger)
Kids
  • Did you know that Camp Fire has been developing Lakeland’s youth for more than 100 years? Celebrate the nonprofit’s remodel with a ribbon cutting and tours on Friday, April 5 at 2600 Buckingham Ave.
The Word
  • Floorball. That’s an indoor sport similar to hockey. Learn how to play from the Florida Vikings floorball team + star player Joseph Pepa “Peaches” Juha at the Peaches Vikings Camp happening June 24-30 in Auburndale. There’s no experience or equipment necessary to register.
Asked
  • Sweet or salty? No matter which flavor you prefer, we want to know your recommendations for the best local snacks + small bites. If you’ve got a dish in mind, fill us in — we may share your snack suggestion soon.
Learn
  • Meet The Daily Upside, a free business newsletter that offers sharp analysis of the latest finance, economics, and market news. Navigate the complexities of inflation, rate hikes, and more without clickbait headlines. Join 1+ million subscribers when you sign up for free.*
Home
  • It’s time for beautiful, energy-efficient windows in your home. Save on new windows in Renewal by Andersen®’s spring savings event — happening for a limited time only.*
 
 
Sports
 
Take a swing this spring
An aerial view of the Eaglebrooke Golf Course in Lakeland, FL. There is a green in the foreground and sand traps, water hazards, and trees in the background.
Lakeland’s golf courses offer challenges and fun for all golfers. | Photo by @clubateaglebrooke
Whether you’re looking to connect outdoors with friends or you’re honing in on the perfect swing, kick off your spring by making a tee time at these Lakeland golf courses.

Sanlan Golf Course, 2505 Sanlan Golf Dr. | Play nine holes on the Alligator, Bobcat, or Coyote courses — for a longer game, you can also book 18 holes.

Cleveland Heights Golf Course, 2900 Buckingham Ave. | Golfing, lessons, a pro shop, and a restaurant — this course has it all. Pro tip: Check out a flyover of all 27 holes for a leg up on your competition.

The Club at Eaglebrooke, 1300 Eaglebrooke Blvd. | Take in the manicured greens with up to 100-ft elevation changes. The course was professionally designed for seasoned golfers, but it also offers tees for beginners.

The Back Nine, 124 S. Tennessee Ave. | Take a swing on famed courses from around the world with virtual golf simulators.
 
The Buy
 
These No. 1 best-selling women’s running shorts, because spring is officially here and that means more workouts outside (yay). Under Armour’s shorts have a built-in brief and are lightweight and breathable, thanks to sweat-wicking material.
 
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The Wrap
 
Connor Jacobson Today’s edition by:
Connor
From the editor
What are you most excited to see open soon in Lakeland? I’m ready to walk the new galleries at the Polk Museum of Art, and based on our readers’ emails + messages, I know many are counting down the days until the new Michaels opens.
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