Design your own bowl at SoFresh, or pick one of the signature recipes — either way, everything’s customizable. | Photo by @south_tampa_life
We asked for your favorite foodie destination, and readers sent us to the Shoppes at Lake Miriam Crossing plaza. Businesses in this shopping center have waited patiently since the Publix was demolished last summer — it’s a great time to support these locally owned restaurants before the supermarket reopens in November.
Reader recommended
Reader Neva M. suggests a salad, bowl, or wrap from SoFresh, because “EVERYTHING is sooo fresh!” Add your favorite protein or mix-ins to any item to make it your own.
Find plenty of seating inside Lake Miriam Chinese Kitchen, or take your meal to-go.
Photo by LALtoday
Fan favorite
When Publix closed, Lakelanders lamented the loss of the Chinese food counter in the store. Thankfully, the owners behind it opened their own storefront in the same plaza, meaning you can now get beloved dishes, like bourbon chicken + General Tso’s, from Lake Miriam Chinese Kitchen.
Top rated
Getting good reviews is a piece of pie for Palace Southside. The Italian restaurant earned the plaza’s top Yelp rating thanks to its housemade entrees and wine selection. Try a plate of pasta to see for yourself.
Get schooled. Two Lakeland schools made WalletHub’s 2026 list of “Best Colleges & Universities.” Florida Poly ranked No. 37 in the South, and Florida Southern came in at No. 292 based on factors like affordability, career outcomes, and campus safety + experience.
Health
Arts and Health Week is coming up Monday, Nov. 3-Sunday, Nov. 9, with the Watson Clinic Foundation’s Arts in Medicine Program hosting events across the city for all ages. Check the schedule and RSVP for well-being events at the AGB Museum of Art, Notta Gallery, Swan Brewing, and more.
Real Estate
In quarter 3, the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area had the highest foreclosure rate in the country. One in every 470 homes in the area was foreclosed, higher than the national rate of one in 1,402 homes. The local rate increased 33.5% year over year. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Festival
The Festival de Cempasúchil returns to Sanchez Farms Santa Maria Tepos in Plant City tomorrow. The farm will be open daily through Día de los Muertos on Nov. 2 with fields full of marigolds and plenty of vendors. It’s not a U-pick, but flowers will be available for purchase.
Transit
The Polk Transportation Planning Organization will livestream a public forum today at 12 p.m. to share its Envision 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan. Join via Facebook to learn what the county plans to prioritize for the next 25 years and get your questions answered.
Arts
Share your love for art with others by becoming a volunteer docent at the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art. Docents receive training before giving two to three exhibit tours each month — plus, they get free museum membership. Applications are open through Friday, Oct. 31.
Drink
Look into our crystal ball — the specialty drink list for Saturday’s Cauldron Crawl has been revealed. Join the coven for a whipped pumpkin cocktail at Linksters, beetle juice at Mojo Federal, and blood orange margaritas at Smith’s. There’s no ticket necessary, but you must be in costume.
Health
Discover the life-changingHorizon IX hearing aid, praised by audiologists nationwide. It adapts and enhances conversations in real time, prioritizing speech clarity for a distraction-free experience. It’s easy to use and seamlessly fits into your daily routine. Unlock the clarity you’ve been missing with a no-risk trial.*
Biz
Good things come to those who wait click. That’s why we curate only the best local content for our thousands of engaged subscribers. Ready to reach them with your message? Visit our advertiser dashboard + see your promo here in as little as two days. Bonus: First-time customers use code NEW15 for 15% off your first ad buy.
Category
Seasonal
👻 We’re halfway to Halloween
We’ve gotten you started with a collection of events, photo ops, and candy spots. | Map via Proxi
That means it’s time to either stock up on candy or start planning your trick-or-treat routes.
Whether you’re looking for neighborhoods to visit with the family or prefer ghoulish fun for grown-ups, we’re mapping it all out: the best trick-or-treat streets, celebrations for all ages, trunk-or-treat events, and spots with the spookiest decor. All we need are your submissions.
Add your location to our interactive map to invite all of Lakeland, or bookmark it to refer to all season long.
Pro tip: Is your house known for full-size candy bars? Does your neighborhood hand out candy on a different day? Be sure to add any must-know details in your submission.
An ultrasonic jewelry cleaner with cleaning solution. It features high frequency technology + multiple settings to remove dirt and grease from your jewelry, glasses, watches, and more — all for under $50.
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.
I know what you’re thinking: What’s happening with the Lake Miriam Publix? I snapped a photo outside the construction zone this week so you can see some of the exterior progress. Here’s what you can expect inside when it opens sometime next month before Thanksgiving.
