The Lakeland Antique Mall kept its signature signage from its original location near the Lakeland Square Mall. | Photo by LALtoday
Lakeland’s vintage shops aren’t just great places to find a bargain. They also connect us to local history, whether it’s through a forgotten postcard or a unique art piece. While these vintage shops may be known for goodies from the past, it’s the future that has us planning our next antiquing trip.
On the north side of town, the Lakeland Antique Mall has been making moves. The store relocated to a slightly smaller spot on US Highway 98 North. You’ll find plenty of antiques in the front of the store, but head to the back for theme park memorabilia. Don’t worry, the life-sized “Jurassic Park” dinosaur has a new home back there, because life finds a way.
Kelly Riley, owner of June Taylor, was just featured in Southern Living for her Webster Westside Flea Market shopping tips.
Heading downtown, you’ll now find an empty spot where June Taylor has been for the last four years. The biz is moving back to its original location in Dixieland, across the street from Cob & Pen. The downtown store officially closed last week, and the new shop is expected to open later this summer. In the meantime, keep an eye out for pop-ups to snag a new vintage lamp for your living room.
Nitro Bingo | 4:30-8 p.m. | The Historic Ritz Theatre, Winter Haven | Free+ | This energetic bingo night blends strobe lights, upbeat music, and big prizes for winners.
Friday, June 13
Gallery Perspectives | 12-1 p.m. | The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art | Free | Dr. Alex Rich will give an in-depth overview of the featured exhibition “Frank Lloyd Wright & the College of Tomorrow.”
Polk Pride 2025: Friday Night Pride | 9 p.m.-2 a.m. | The Parrot | $10 | Kick off Pride weekend with a night full of drinks, dancing, and dazzling drag performances.
Saturday, June 14
Babysitting Class | 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center | $65 | Middle schoolers will leave as certified Safe Sitters after learning the basics of babysitting, from safety to child development.
Cats ‘n Mats | 10 a.m. | Purrology Cafe | $10 | Purr-fect your form by joining a certified yoga teacher for a relaxing session surrounded by adoptable kitties.
Juneteenth Celebration Of Freedom | 12-4 p.m. | Donald Bronson Community Center, Polk City | Free+ | All are invited to enjoy live performances of gospel music, spoken word, rap, and dance at this community event.
The stage is set for the return of Polk State Theatre. The college recently renovated its Winter Haven Fine Arts Theatre with new sound, lighting, and seating. See it in action during the 2025-2026 season, starting with “Cyrano de Bergerac” in November.
Lakelander
Wildlife photography is a snap for A. Thomas Dotson, who’s a regular at Circle B Bar Reserve. See 57 of his photos in “Wild Neighbors,” a new exhibit featuring everything from sneaky reptiles to swooping birds. It opens today at Untamed Haven Gallery in downtown Winter Haven. (The Ledger)
Closing
It’s the final weekend of the season at Fancy Farms, with the team closing its fields early due to the summer heat. Visit through Saturday, June 14, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. to pick your own zinnias + sunflowers and stock up on your favorite market treats. It will reopen in October.
Active
It’s getting hot in here, so strike your yoga pose at Yoga Pointe’s upcoming 26+2 Hot Yoga pop-up series. Each 90-minute session will lead you through 26 poses and two breathing exercises in a 104º room. Catch the first one this Saturday, June 14 at 4 p.m.
Sports
Things are also heating up for local athletic teams this summer. Visit Swan City Roller Derby’s interest meeting on Wednesday, June 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m. to learn about becoming a skater, or join Lakeland Rugby Football Club’s weekly practices at Dobbins Park to become a Lancer.
Try This
Get on pointe this summer with Swan City Ballet’s four-week adult workshop. Happening Friday evenings from June 27 to July 25 (barre-ing July 4), this is your chance to learn ballet basics, from jumps to turns. It’s $75 for the series, or $20 to drop in.
Real Estate
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Finance
If “Yellowstone” taught us anything, it’s to protect what’s yours. With gold projected to hit $4,000 an ounce by 2026, a gold IRA is a tax-advantaged way to saddle up for uncertain times.†*
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Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 15, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission is celebrating with a weekend of license-free fishing. If you’re looking for a place to drop a line with dad, check out FWC’s map of fishing piers, including six in Lakeland.
New sheets at a great discount. Get 70% off these cooling bamboo blend waffle hem sheets, with a queen set only costing $28.99. The 1800 thread count sheets are hypoallergenic, machine washable, and crafted from bamboo-derived fabric that keeps you cool in summer.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
If you’re hitting the Dixieland Night Market tomorrow from 6 to 11 p.m. outside of Union Hall, keep an eye out for Me Gusta food truck. I just fell in love with the truck’s Paradise Bowl — don’t skip the “secret sauce” — and Gusta Juice at First Friday.
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