Nerf guns and virtual reality games will be the focus of a family-friendly business coming to downtown Lakeland and adding to the growing roster of entertainment-oriented venues in the city core. More
A new café in south Lakeland offers a healthy twist on the coffee shop/juice bar with a menu specializing in protein-enhanced shakes, refreshers, acai bowls, waffles, and donuts with a focus on “guilt-free, healthy shakes.” More
Stephanie Archibald keeps evolving her business, SB&B Seafood Bar & Grill, Business Observer reports. It started as a weekend get-together with friends and expanded to two locations — a restaurant and a fish market — that she now operates under one roof at 1801 George Jenkins Boulevard. Next the 38-year-old Lakeland native will add a food truck as she awaits the conversion of a 30-foot Ford Stepvan.
Rut Patel, the 26-year-old Lakelander who founded Voyager Industries Inc., is innovating in the use of drone technology for engineering inspections. He built a drone from scratch that uses artificial intelligence for navigation, and he’s working on one that can can go 250 mph and one that uses solar energy, Business Observer reports.
Stryker, a company that manufactures medical devices, is closing its Lakeland facility near the I-4/County Line Road interchange and is eliminating more than 500 positions by the end of 2023, Fox 13 News reports.
A contemplated expansion of The Joinery food hall and a planned city dog park a block away are the newest projects to enliven a once-dormant strip northeast of Lake Mirror. More
Cory Skeates has resigned as president and CEO of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, a post he has held since January 2015, the organization announced today. The resignation takes effect immediately. More
The family behind Lakeland’s Little Bus Books is ready to debut their little bus. It’s a vintage metal travel trailer that will make their bookstore truly mobile. More
Lakeland entrepreneur Rich Wills has sold his three FITNiche stores to North Carolina-based Fleet Feet, which has 190 running-store stores in 37 states, The Ledger reports. Wills is retaining FITNiche Events Inc., which times races, and he is working to bring a line of barefoot-style running shoes to market.
Lakeland city commissioners today approved the use of shipping containers as tiny homes on property zoned for mobile homes or multi-family dwellings. In addition, shipping containers are now available for certain commercial uses. More
