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Small Business

A hand holding a flower arrangement with pink, purple, and orange flowers and greenery stems in a skull-shaped container
Business
Find your inner florist at Bloom Shakalaka’s flower arranging workshops
Learn to arrange beautiful bouquets with the help of the expert florists at Bloom Shakalaka.
October 29, 2025 12:20 PM
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Pastel storefront of "Bloom Shakalaka" and "East of These" with pink awning, green doors, and vibrant pink floral decor.
Sponsored
Pass the mic: 3 questions with Lakeland’s small business owners
We’re rounding out a week of small business features by asking owners what it’s like to live + work in Lakeland.
Sponsored by
Pole dance studio with wood floors, mirrored wall, neon signs, and chrome poles evenly spaced throughout.
Sponsored
Try this: 12 unique Lakeland small businesses worth experiencing
While we love our Lakeland small biz staples, think outside the box and check out these 12 small bizzes that are carving their own path.
Sponsored by
A service business worker wearing a Help(her) shirt and a yellow purse holds three white paper boxes wrapped with string.
Sponsored
Lakeland small service businesses to cover every part of life
These 25+ businesses are at your service with everything from beauty to events to professional development.
Sponsored by
Laptop on a blue table with iced tea beside it, displaying small business Whimsy & Stars Paperie's website.
Sponsored
5 Lakeland small bizzes you can support from your couch
Who says you have to leave home to support Lakeland’s small businesses?
Sponsored by
RV campsite with tropical trees, tiki hut, and outdoor living area
Experience
Plan a vacation you’ll never forget at one of these unique stays in Polk County
Polk is full of special places to stay that offer guests a break from traditional motels and hotels — check out our favorites in and around Lakeland, Florida.
May 2, 2025
 · 
Cambrie Juarez
A spread of Southern dishes, including fried fish and shrimp, collard greens, mashed potatoes, onion rings, and mac and cheese.
Sponsored
Small business, big flavor: Try 12 local restaurant owners’ recommendations
Here’s how owners say you can support local restaurants, cafes, and food trucks during Small Business Week powered by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union.
Sponsored by
Family posing with colorful car wheels at an outdoor Infinite Matterz powder coating booth, with trees and buildings in the background.
Sponsored
Small Business Week powered by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union has arrived in Lakeland
Join us at LALtoday in celebrating small businesses from Sunday, May 4 to Saturday, May 10, presented by MIDFLORIDA Credit Union.
Sponsored by
Little Bus Books mobile bookshop
Culture
Local bookstore owners present the Lakeland Book Crawl
Finding our next read and supporting local independent book sellers? We’re in.
April 18, 2025
 · 
Rilee Delgado
flower fridge at Bloom Shakalaka flower shop in Lakeland, FL
Culture
Lakeland plant shops and florists to brighten up your day
Find floral arrangements, Florida natives, and houseplants at these local shops.
April 11, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A large pink trumpet tree blooms across a yard and street in Lakeland.
Culture
How to spend a spring day like “The Golden Girls” in Lakeland
Forget hot girl summer — it’s time for a “Golden Girls” spring.
April 9, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
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More from LALtoday
A wrestling photo where AEW star Big Bill (right) delivers a high kick to Juice Robinson (left) as a referee watches.
Sports
6 boot-stomping questions with AEW star Big Bill
All Elite Wrestling will bring AEW Collision to Lakeland’s RP Funding Center for the first time on Thursday, Oct. 2. We sat down with AEW star Big Bill to learn what you can expect if you’re new to the sport or a lifelong fan.
September 30, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An aerial view of the Lakeland International Airport terminal and parking lots
Travel and Outdoors
Parking fees loom at Lakeland International Airport
Starting Oct. 13, daily parking will cost you if you’re flying out of LAL. Here’s what you need to know.
September 29, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A decorative wooden frame covered with a variety of orange, white, and gray pumpkins, with a sign reading "FOX SQUIRREL CORN MAZE."
Culture
Fall fun around Lakeland: Corn mazes, pumpkin patches + haunted houses
Ring in the season with a trip to one of these fall-exclusive spots for the whole family.
September 25, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A statue of the headless horseman on a black horse in front of the entrance to a "Legends of Halloween" haunted hayride.
Events
Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail returns to Plant City
Halloween lovers and scaredy-cats alike will find something to enjoy at this popular Plant City attraction.
September 25, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The one-story warehouse-style building with a white exterior, multiple large garage doors, and a parking lot that will be Baseline pickleball
Business
Baseline pickleball + dining concept coming to Lakeland’s East Main District
Hit the courts and grab a bite at this development, helmed by local entrepreneurs and pickleball fanatics.
September 22, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The downtown Lakeland viewed from across Lake Mirror. Clouds in the sky cast shadows over the lake and the mix of high and medium-rise buildings, including the Lakeland Electric building.
City
By the numbers: Lakeland’s 2026 fiscal year budget
The City of Lakeland has finalized its 2026 budget before the next fiscal year begins — let’s take a look at the $815 million bottom line.
September 22, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A swan glides near lily pads on a lake in Lakeland, Florida, with city buildings and trees visible in the background.
Culture
What we “unfortunately do love” in Lakeland
From guilty pleasures to unexpected favorites, the “unfortunately do love” social media trend is taking over the internet — and we want your input.
September 18, 2025
 · 
Maria Adnado
Two pumpkin spice lattes in mugs on table with a pumpkin muffin
Food
Where to find all things pumpkin spice in Lakeland
From coffee to baked goods to cocktails, there’s a pumpkin spice or fall-flavored treat for everyone in Lakeland to enjoy this fall.
September 16, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
An aerial satellite image above Lakeland. Green land and lakes surround the city, which is labeled with a blue arrow. There are blue lines heading in each direction — north, east, south, and west_ stretching out beyond the edges of the map.
Travel and Outdoors
Which cities share Lakeland’s latitude and longitude?
Directly north, east, south, and west of LAL, cities across the world await.
September 16, 2025
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
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.
Experience
Tee it up at these Lakeland golf courses
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or the next Tiger Woods, these 13 golf courses in Lakeland are sure to make for a good round.
September 16, 2025
 · 
Cat George