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Small Business

Vendor tents line a downtown street filled with pedestrians at First Friday.
Events
Stack your calendar with monthly events around Lakeland
These events bring together your favorite vendors on the same day each month in nearby downtown areas and historic districts.
August 28, 2025 03:13 PM
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A photo of a boutique wall. It has "The Modern Pearl" on a black and clear sign, and then has three bags hanging on the wall next to it with different sayings.
Business
Shop ‘til you drop at these new Lakeland boutiques
Restaurants + real estate aren’t the only developments that have been popping up around Swan City. Next time you’re out on the town, here are three boutiques worth popping your head into.
September 23, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
Three rattan and leather bags from the small business boutique Monkee's of Lakeland
Business
Small business, big style: Boutiques and gift shops in Lakeland
Find a new outfit or the perfect gift for a friend at these locally owned small businesses.
September 23, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A large tree covered in jack-o-lanterns and lit with red lighting.
Experience
Fall fun in and around Lakeland
Check out fall and Halloween-themed events happening in and around Lakeland in this seasonal guide.
September 20, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The exterior of a white and black building on North Massachusetts Avenue in Lakeland. A sign reads "The Yard on Mass."
Real Estate
What should come next to the former Yard on Mass space?
The City of Lakeland’s Community Redevelopment Agency is on the hunt for the next tenant to take over the space on North Massachusetts Avenue.
August 30, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
The exterior entrance of S&L Restaurant in Lakeland. Signs painted on the building read, "Warning! Our burgers are habit forming!"
Food
Eat down the street: Combee Road restaurants
Discover a hidden gem or try a local favorite restaurant for the first time in this series.
August 29, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
LAL-plant-city-farm-and-flea-market-2019
Food
Where to get seasonal produce in Lakeland
Learn what produce is currently in season in Lakeland, along with recommendations for local farms to shop from.
August 20, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
An exterior shot of Black and Brew's patio
Culture
Reader recommendations for “third places” around Lakeland
We asked our followers where their “third place” was in Lakeland — here are the spots they called out.
August 14, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A grid collage of rainbow colored drinks from various Lakeland establishments.
Food
Drink through the rainbow at these Lakeland establishments
You’ve never learned Roy G. Biv like this before.
July 25, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
An exterior view of Mitchell's Coffee Shop in Lakeland, FL
Business
The 25-year history of Lakeland’s oldest coffee shop
Mitchell’s Coffee Shop has been serving up coffee and gourmet food since 1998. See what inspired the coffee shop’s founder to open the first shop of its kind in Lakeland 25 years ago.
July 24, 2024
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Four pictures of beverages have been spliced together into a collage image. The first is a frozen coffee, the second is a cocktail in a mule mug, the third is an orange energy drink with whipped cream, and the fourth is a frothy cocktail in a swan glass.
Food
Show off your Swan City pride by sipping on these Lakeland-inspired drinks
We asked four different businesses around Lakeland to make us a beverage that they felt encapsulated the Swan City vibe — here’s what they came up with.
July 23, 2024
 · 
Amelia Grooms
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A decorative sign over the Munn Park entrance with treetops and the sunshine in the background
Travel and Outdoors
Summer 2025 weather forecast for Lakeland
Prepare for summer weather in Swan City with these seasonal temperature and precipitation outlooks.
May 22, 2025
 · 
Staff
Curved black benches surround a memorial with a rose inlaid on stone, honoring law enforcement at Veteran's Memorial Park.
City
Explore Veterans Memorial Park in Lakeland
Find a quiet place for reflection at Veterans Memorial Park, a serene green space near downtown Lakeland on the shores of Lake Beulah.
May 22, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
A stack of books is shown on a table in Lakeland Public Library with windows looking out at Lake Morton.
Culture
Ready, set, read — kick off summer with these reading programs
Who says summer reading is only for the kids? Check out these opportunities for every age around Lakeland.
May 21, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A vintage postcard with an illustration of Downtown Lakeland and Lake Mirror from an aerial view
City
Test your Swan City history smarts with this quiz
Take the interactive quiz to see how much you remember about Lakeland’s geography, and learn about three of our favorite transformations from over the years.
May 20, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Signage marking the Lake-to-Lake Bikeway and bike lane
Travel and Outdoors
Ride the Lake-to-Lake Bikeway across Lakeland
See Lakeland from a new perspective — on two wheels.
May 20, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Small kitchen with white cabinets, electric stove, microwave, and beige tile floor and countertops.
Real Estate
Put your own spin on these Lakeland fixer-upper homes
Grab your tool belt — these five homes are primed and ready for you to unleash your creativity and put your vision into action.
May 19, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms
A timelapse photo of the exterior of the Polk Theater at night. The marquee sign is lit with blinking lights, and car lights streak by the front door.
Food
Enjoy dinner and a show around Lakeland this week
Let us plan your nightly entertainment with movies, live music, and stage shows, plus the perfect places to grab a bite.
May 16, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
The brick and iron entrance to Munn Park frames a group of people walking beneath a tree with a bright pink trunk.
New to Lakeland
Head outside with a guide to Lakeland’s parks
We’re highlighting the top parks that Lakeland has to offer — complete with splash pads, playgrounds, WiFi, walking trails, and even a few dog-friendly spots.
May 16, 2025
 · 
Staff
A hand holds a bagel sandwich in front of Uncle Nick's Deli in Lakeland. The cheese bagel is wrapped in aluminum foil. The deli is in a small shopping center and has a few tables and chairs by the front entrance.
Food
Where to find fresh bagels around Lakeland
Plain, with cream cheese, or topped with an egg, bagels are sure to be a hole in one. Order one from these local bakeries, delis, and cafes.
May 16, 2025
 · 
Connor Jacobson
Screen Shot 2021-10-20 at 1.57.47 PM
Culture
What is the Junior League of Greater Lakeland?
Learn how this organization is impacting Lakeland through its educational and charity work.
May 15, 2025
 · 
Amelia Grooms