Join this national initiative by celebrating locally owned small businesses. | Photo by Infinite Matterz
Small Business Week powered by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union is almost here, and we’re gearing up to spread the local love.
We’ve partnered with some of Lakeland’s small businesses to celebrate the folks who make up the backbone of our local economy.
From Sunday, May 4 to Saturday, May 10, you can expect stories that shine a light on what it’s like to be a part of Lakeland’s small business community.
Save this map for all the deals from businesses around Lakeland, and expect much more during Small Business Week.
We have something special for our readers, too. We’ve created an interactive map of can’t-miss deals being offered exclusively during Small Business Week powered by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union.
From discounted Spring Cleaning Packages at Clean Coast Softwash to $10 Fit Trip rides at CYCLEdelic, there will be plenty of ways to support Lakeland’s small businesses.
Our Small Business Week coverage is powered by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, where you’ll find better banking for your local business.
Events
Events
Tuesday, April 29
42nd Anniversary Event | 4-8 p.m. | Country Chicken ‘n Fish | Price of purchase | Celebrate this restaurant’s history by dressing in a costume inspired by the country, chicken, or fish.
Clay Class: Snail Coil Pot | 5:30-8 p.m. | Picassoz Art Cafe | $25 | Take things slow in this class where you’ll hand-sculpt a small flower pot.
Wednesday, April 30
Olivia’s Zumba Birthday Party | 7 p.m. | Just Dance Studio | $10 | Wear black + purple for this birthday dance party featuring a 360-degree photobooth and guest instructor.
3rd Annual Margarita Run 5K | 7 p.m. | Camp Margaritaville, Auburndale | $35+ | Run your way around the campsite + Lake Myrtle Park, then recover with margaritas and live entertainment.
Saturday, May 3
Watermelon Festival | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Florida Children’s Museum | Free | Things will get juicy with hands-on, watermelon-themed activities on Bonnet Springs Park’s Family Lawn, plus pay-what-you-can entry to the museum.
Monday, June 9
Southern Scholars Summer Camp | Monday, June 9-Friday, June 13 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Florida Southern College | $500 | Register your rising 9th or 10th grader now to secure a spot to explore health sciences, business, education, and STEM through hands-on learning with FSC faculty at Southern Scholars Summer Camp.*
Starting May 21, Air France will whisk you straight from Orlando to Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Look forward to café, culture, and enviable Eiffel Tower selfies in the City of Light.
76.2. That’s the average life expectancy in Polk County — less than the state average of 78.6. The Florida Department of Health in Polk County will release a Community Health Improvement Plan in January, with three priorities to improve that number: health service access, behavioral health, and chronic disease. (LkldNow)
Traffic
Sidewalk curb ramps along Main Street are getting a revamp. City crews began work yesterday to make ramps at intersections from Massachusetts Avenue to Lincoln Avenue ADA compliant. Expect pedestrian detours over the next four months.
Edu
Three cheers for these volunteers. PCPS announced its four Volunteers of the Year, including Tracey Dannemiller of Lakeland Highlands Middle. Dannemiller has volunteered with PCPS for 35+ years, and she works with LHMS’s clothing closet and School Advisory Council.
The Word
Biophilic design — that’s the name for interior design that connects humans and nature. Citrus Connection General Manager Tom Phillips claims the transit agency is the first to incorporate a biophilic office design in Polk County. Peek inside its newly renovated space that’s now filled with greenery. (LkldNow)
Eat
Nothing beats a meal with a view, and there are plenty of places to eat yours lakeside in Polk County. Our favorite in Lakeland is Garden Bistro, where you can meet for a casual lunch just steps away from Lake Mirror. We recommend the Magnolia Mirror sandwich. (The Ledger)
Feel Good
Polk County trucker Jonathan Santiago is the first deaf driver to graduate from FleetForce Truck Driver Training in Winter Haven. Santiago earned his commercial driver’s license without an interpreter, and he’s already on the roads after starting with U.S. Xpress yesterday. (Bay News 9)
Plan Ahead
There are only a few spots still available at The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum’s Summer Art Camps. Register kids ages 8-14 for two weeks of hands-on creativity.*
You’re awesome — thank you so much for taking a moment to participate in our survey we ran on April 10. We’re excited to announce our winner. Drumroll please. Congrats to Karen W. Keep an eye out for future opportunities to share your thoughts and enter for a chance to win.
Category
Eat
🥐 Will crawl for cruffins
Forget crawling, we’d run to Bandidas for a cookie or galette any day. | Photo by @bandidasbakeshop
This year’s Lakeland Book Crawl was a success, even earning a nod from publisher Penguin Random House. That got us thinking: Where else can we crawl? We’re leaving the breadcrumbs for you to follow a bakery crawl, as chosen by readers.
📍 Born & Bread Bakehouse
Start here to snag your favorite cruffin (a croissant + muffin lovechild) and a peanut butter cold brew to fuel up.
📍 Meraki Bakehouse, 5-minute drive
Find this bakery set up inside Market on Kentucky. The brown butter chocolate chip cookie is a must-try.
📍 Bandidas Bake Shop, 9-minute drive
Grab a sweet and savory Jamon Jamon sandwich with Serrano ham + fig butter on housemade focaccia bread.
📍 Don Criollo Bakery & Restaurant, 6-minute drive
End your crawl here with an order of tres leches cake, flan, or whatever else calls your name from the bakery case.
The car tech upgrades you need ahead of summer road trips for better, safer driving:
🗺️ No more phone in your cup holder — keep navigation instructions in your eyeline with a suction cup phone mount equipped with one-button release.
🔊 Skip plugging in your phone to activate CarPlay and use this wireless CarPlay adapter for a faster, more reliable bluetooth connection.
🚙 A front and rear dash cam can make all the difference in a fender bender — this one captures crystal-clear footage even at night.
📲 Everyone gets to charge their devices at once with a four-port car charger that’s here to end road trip squabbles.
🌸 Looking for an air freshener upgrade? This No. 1 best-selling wood air freshener looks chic on your sun visor.
I loved the write-in options you sent for possible crawls, especially thrift stores, ice cream parlors, and cat cafes. If you do a thrift crawl, be sure to start on 98 North at the Children’s Thrift Store, my favorite in Lakeland.
Answered
Answered
How many trees does the City of Lakeland manage?
Tree-rific job. Nearly half of readers guessed the correct answer, a whopping 56,000.
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