There’s plenty of covered seating outdoors at Bowen Yard, but you can find a few seats inside the restaurants. | Photo by LALtoday
We’ve all been there — you’re craving pizza, but your dinner date wants sushi. The solution? Food halls. These foodie destinations bring several eateries together under the same roof, so you can grab that slice of pepperoni while your friend orders spicy tuna.
Bowen Yard
This Winter Haven food hall has one full-service restaurant, five mini eateries, and entertainment most nights.
Editor’s pick: Lake House Kitchen al pastor tacos, and a pumpkin cookie from SoCe Market for dessert
The Joinery
This Lakeland food hall started it all in Polk County. Enjoy views of Lake Mirror, craft beer from the bar, and bites from six stalls.
Editor’s pick: Fried chicken karaage from Sabu and Super Duper Spot sweet potato fries
Your favorite restaurants can be just steps away from each other at Depot 303.
Photo by LALtoday
Depot 303
The Joinery’s owner helped the City of Mulberry create this food hall, crafting its industrial-yet-cozy style and hand-picking its vendors.
Editor’s pick: A slice of The Big Hungry pizza with all the toppings from Pizza Odyssey, plus crab rangoon from Tilaw
A legacy grows stronger with the right banking partner
Presented by Bank of Central Florida
Barrett, third-generation owner of Skimlite, described Lakeland as a “small big city” when he chose to move his business here. | Photo courtesy of Stateside Media
Barrett Conrad’s grandfather founded Skimlite in 1954 with a simple idea: design a pool skimmer that made cleaning easy and was strong enough to last.
That idea turned into a generational family business. Barrett grew up watching his father + grandfather build the Skimlite brand, and he knew he wanted to carry on the legacy.
In 2020, Barrett took his family on a cross-country road trip, considering where Skimlite could grow along the way. They landed in Lakeland and fell in love for all the same reasons we love our city: connected, friendly, and forward-thinking.
The move also meant finding a new business banking partner. A friend recommended Bank of Central Florida (Member FDIC) to Barrett, and he hasn’t looked back.
“They’re right there with the bigger banks, but they know the area and take time to really understand your goals,” Barrett said. “They’ll actually come out, sit down, and have real conversations.”
You stay up on all the latest trends — shouldn’t your home do the same? This trendy barndominium on Kathleen Road has all the space you could need, from the roomy walk-in closets and a “gigantic” second-floor bonus room to five acres of land to call your own.
Coming Soon
Prepare to pig out — Sausage House Market will open soon in the plaza by Panera on South Florida Avenue. The shop will specialize in house-made Polish items like sausages, pierogies, and cheese with a top secret recipe. Owners aim to open doors by the end of October. (LkldNow)
Cause
There’s a position for every type of volunteer at InnerAct Alliance’s Red Ribbon Run. Sign up to be a chalk artist, registration aid, or monitor during the family run around Lake Mirror on Saturday, Oct. 25. Pro tip: Students can get volunteer hours.
Number
Wait times at Walt Disney World are trending lower and lower through the year. July’s waits averaged 30 minutes, and recent data suggests September’s might have come down to 24 minutes. Pro tip: Skip the lines and head to Bonnet Springs Park — it’s bigger than Magic Kingdom, anyway. (FOX 35)
The Word
Noctourism. That’s the name of one of this year’s hottest travel trends, in which people soak in experiences after dark. Think: stargazing, night markets, dinner cruises. Given that it’s October, a local ghost tour is the perfect way to join the fun. (The Traveler)
Eat
Ever woken up craving an acai bowl? You’re not alone. It’s the most-searched breakfast food in Florida, according to a new Mental Floss report. Food for thought: Instead of scouring search engines for your next meal, explore our guide to the best brunch eats in Lakeland.
Read
The nominees are out for this year’s National Book Awards, with some stellar books on the docket. Categories include fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and translated works. Whatever your choice of read, we recommend picking up something written by a Lakelander. (NPR)
Health
Sweet treats are officially good for you. Finally. Experts say the excitement of an inbound treat can help release dopamine, a neurotransmitter that contributes to focus, cognitive function, and feelings of joy. Sounds like the perfect excuse for a croque glace from Mootown Scoops. (The Guardian)
The Word
Equity Sharing Home Loan. This flexible option allows borrowers to access the equity in their home at a below-market interest rate (read: lower monthly payments than a traditional loan) for debt consolidation, home improvements, or even retirement. Here’s how it works.*
Number
1 million+. That’s how many men use Particle Face Cream, a six-in-one formula that tackles eye bags, wrinkles, and puffiness. Save 20% with code 6AM20.*
Jobs
Tired of wading through resumes from applicants that are states away? Ditch oversaturated national job boards for our locally focused Job Board. Get started at no cost — post unlimited job listings for free.
According to Axios, porch pumpkin decorating services are booming across the US. If you want to pumpkin spice things up around your home, let the professionals handle it + book while spots are still open.
Pumpkin Concierge
Gourds grown in Lake County can be yours in a variety of packages — including an ingenious VIP package to replace pumpkins that struggle to make it through a full Central Florida fall.
Orlando Pumpkins
This husband-and-wife team lives for the fall and wants to help make yours as magical as possible. Packages start at $225 and go all the way up to $1,350 for the platinum level. They also offer hurricane insurance — it’s Florida, after all.
Pumpkin Porch Decor Co.
“Because fall is too short for plain porches.” That’s what this duo thinks about exterior decorating. With hay bales, wreaths, and other festive flair, there is plenty of choice.
A set of non-slip stair carpet treads. We love that they feature a peel off backing for easy installation and no leftover residue. Bonus: They’re ultra-soft, durable, and easy to clean.
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.
Our requests for a Savannah Bananas game in Lakeland may not have been answered, but this is pretty close. The Banana Ball Championship League schedule was just released, including games at Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports May 29-30, 2026. Join the ticket lottery by the end of October for a chance at seats. I signed up — fingers crossed.
