Silver Ring Cafe is planning to relocate from its 36-year downtown home to a space it will share with Crispers on Kentucky Avenue. The menu will remain the same, but table service will be replaced by counter ordering, owner Tim Altman told The Ledger in a subscribers-only story. Last date in its Tennessee Avenue location: Aug. 29. Reopening target: around Oct. 1.
A KFC with drive-through and indoor seating will join an existing Wendy’s along U.S. 98 South at Innovation Drive across from Oak Hill Cemetery. The Polk County Planning Commission approved a land-use change to allow the 2,192-square-foot fast-food restaurant in an area marked by nearby medical offices, The Ledger reports.
The long-anticipated Biscuits and Benedicts has opened on South Florida Avenue in Dixieland following nearly three years of challenges. With brunch entrees ranging from $8.95 to $15.95, the eatery emphasizes local products from businesses like Concord Coffee, Tea Largo and Bee-Haven Honey Farm, as well as works from local artists, The Lakelander reports. Owners Troy Hambrick and James Kerr are in the process of getting an alcohol license and are already considering opening a second location at Merchants Walk. | Menu
The Poor Porker, a vintage outdoor venue known for its beignets and live music, announced it is closing its doors after a farewell party on July 3 to make way for Unfiltered Lakeland, a “coffeehouse, marketplace, eventspace” scheduled to open later this year. More
Kava bars are starting to pop up in Lakeland, providing a nightlife scene that doesn’t rely on alcohol. There’s N7 Nitro Kava Bar, Sun Kava & CBD, and Quinteassence Kava Bar, to name a few. More
The owners of a restaurant coming soon to Lakeside Village say they will specialize in gourmet brunches with a Caribbean twist. Frances Palermo, who owns several beauty-related businesses, and Lisandra Bezares, a special education coach for Polk County Public Schools, plan to open Sorrel Bistro in August and will also serve breakfast and lunch dishes. More
Behind the plain-vanilla title of research and development manager, Tarisha Gray might have the sweetest job in Lakeland. Among her duties: tasting all of the ice cream flavors made in the Publix Super Markets dairy plants to decide if they need improvements. She also helps develop new Publix ice cream flavors. More
Two local Asian-focused food businesses, Pinoy Cravings and Omusubee, recently won launch micro grants from Catapult Lakeland. Pinoy Cravings is a Filipino-inspired pop-up food company while Omusubee sells Japanese rice balls. More
Mike & Mike’s Desserts, a Lakeland company, is debuting its vegan cupcakes in Publix GreenWise Markets next week, according to one of its co-founders, Nathaniel Kendrick, 31, of Lakeland. More
Black & Brew Coffee House & Bistro is expanding beyond its downtown roots, opening a third location in south Lakeland that will include seating for 60 and a drive-through concept designed to minimize wait time. More
