New Chamber Partnership Will Assist Women Entrepreneurs
The Lakeland Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Tampa Bay Women’s Business Centre to offer free business coaching to female entrepreneurs. More
Business
Security Professional Opens Cigar Lounge on Wheels
Parked on the weekends on Memorial Boulevard near Ohio Street and next to the new Coney Funeral Home, the 1911 Rollin Cigar Lounge gives small groups of people a chance to gather and smoke cigars in a comfortable RV. More
Study: Metro Lakeland’s Housing Market Is Florida’s Most Overvalued
Houses in the Lakeland metro area are the most overvalued in Florida and 21st most overvalued in the U.S., according to a new Florida Atlantic University study. Home prices here are 31.39% higher than would be expected based on trends of the last 25 years, the study concluded. One of the professors conducting the study told The Ledger he was unsurprised by the finding because of relatively low housing costs here and projections that metro Lakeland’s population will grow 24% population over the next 10 years. MORE: WFLA | News release | U.S. list | Florida list | Methodology
Group Holding Lakeland Rallies to Oppose Vaccine Mandates
Even before the Watson Clinic announced last week that it would require its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by November, a local group had planned a rally to oppose vaccine mandates. More
Will Enthusiasm for New Food Businesses on U.S. 98 North Renew Interest in Lakeland Square?
Shaina Day was counting down the days until Krispy Kreme opened in north Lakeland on July 27. The traditional glazed doughnuts at the popular doughnut shop were calling her family’s name.
Krispy Kreme joins two other new food establishments, Arby’s and Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, on U.S. 98 North, where Toys R Us lived for 30 years. More
Covid Cases, Staff Shortages Force Day Care to Close
Learning Station Academy, a day-care center near the northern tip of Lake Gibson, has had to close. The center took in no revenue when it had to close briefly four times when somebody tested positive for COVID-19. In addition, it has been difficult keeping workers at a time when employers like Amazon were offering higher pay, Fox 13 News reports.
Krispy Kreme Near Lakeland Square Replaces S. Florida Ave. Store
A Krispy Kreme donut shop opens Tuesday at 3790 U.S. 98 N. near Lakeland Square mall, replacing the south Lakeland store that closed in June. It’s the company’s fourth location using a larger design that lets customers view the doughnut-making process, The Ledger reports. (Subscribers-only story)
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux: Fried Gator and Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding
The commercial district just north of I-4 and U.S. 98 continues to expand, with a Cajun-themed sports bar, Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, which opened June 21. It’s located adjacent to Lakeland Square in the space formerly occupied by Toys ”R” Us. More
Facebook Group Boosts Sweet Cup Café After Covid Delayed Opening
The owners of Sweet Cup Café, which offers a taste of Mexico on Lakeland Hills Boulevard, had to delay opening by more than a year because of the pandemic, but they say social media has given their business a big boost. More