Stephanie Claytor

1 week ago | lkldnow.com | Stephanie Claytor

Mootown Scoops, a locally-owned ice cream shop, officially opens today, after its soft opening May 4. Where: 719 E. Palmetto St., Lakeland — across from the Lakeland Public Library. When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. SundayFlavors: Mootown features about 16 flavors at a time. The ice cream is purchased from a supplier in Sarasota. Co-owner Jose Martinez said they hope to one day make their own seasonal flavors.

1 week ago | lkldnow.com | Stephanie Claytor

Just south of Lakeland, in Mulberry, a food hall has arisen. Where: Depot 303, at 303 NW Ist Ave. (in Mulberry), houses several food vendors and a bar that serves craft cocktails and beer. Who: Jon Bucklew, a founder of The Joinery, the food hall in downtown Lakeland, is running Depot 303. When: Depot 303 held a soft opening the first weekend in April, then opened for regular hours later that week.

2 weeks ago | lkldnow.com | Stephanie Claytor

The Well, the Lakeland co-working and incubator space at 114 E. Parker St., will hold its second annual Black Business Expo on Friday, June 6, followed by a new, gala celebration of minority-owned Lakeland businesses on Saturday, June 7. The Well will also host a Gospel Explosion on Sunday, June 8. The events are tied together with the theme “Elevate, Innovate, and Thrive in 2025.”The expo, gala, and gospel explosion events are a major fundraiser for The Well.

2 weeks ago | lkldnow.com | Stephanie Claytor

As legislators work in Tallahassee this week to craft a state budget, there are several proposals on the table, including one in the state House that would cut funding for the Florida School Readiness Program by $120 million and one in the state Senate that would cut allocations to the program by $60 million, according to the Florida Association for the Education of Young Children. It’s alarming for Marc Hutek, the CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County.

2 weeks ago | lkldnow.com | Stephanie Claytor

The Lakeland Parks and Recreation Department is looking for new instructors to offer programming and classes in its recreation facilities, according to its website. The department offers classes at Simpson Park Community Center, Kelly Recreation Complex, Lake Crago Outdoor Recreation Complex, Gandy Pool, Simpson Park Pool and Community Center, the Coleman-Bush Building, the Lake Mirror Complex and in its parks.