As 2018 fades away and the new year arrives, it is time to focus on what 2019 has to offer. From long-awaited new eats around town, to sports, city developments, and the arts and culture scene, we’ve done the research, made some phone calls, and sent e-mails and text messages to know what’s awaiting you in the year ahead.
Food
Berna’s Turkish Coffee House
Berna, owner of The Market at Cafe Zuppina, is adding in a few extra additions to the shop and expanding. The new additions of serving traditional Turkish coffee and gelato will be named Berna’s Turkish Coffee House.
Scheduled to open January 2019.
Food Hall
Jonathan and Sarah Bucklew, owners of Seventeen20, are transforming and converting the former Lakeland Brewing Co. building on Lake Mirror into an artisan food hall with about seven eateries and a brewery/tasting room.
Scheduled to open May 2019.
Sports
Rugby
In the Summer of 2019, Ted Koontz, owner of Reds Teamsports of Lakeland, will be launching the Lakeland Renegades, with two co-partners, player Vert Stephens and USA player and coach David Ulch. The Lakeland Renegades will be USA Rugby League (USARL) team competing in the South Conference which includes Atlanta, Jacksonville, South Florida, and Tampa teams. The USARL hosts a playoff between its two conferences, the North and South, which then gives players an opportunity to play for the HAWKS (USA National Team) and represent the United States at a national level.
Education
Academy Prep
Academy Prep of Lakeland is a rigorous, private, middle-school program dedicated to educating economically disadvantaged students by providing an academically challenging, enriching, and structured environment followed by eight years of support and guidance through high school and college.
Opening June 2019.
Florida Southern College – New School of Physical Therapy
Florida Southern’s School of Physical Therapy is expected to supply highly trained physical therapists to healthcare facilities in Central Florida and beyond. Graduates of the program will be considered clinical doctors similar to physicians, dentists, and podiatrists and provide services in a variety of settings, including hospitals and private practices.
Opening August 2019.
Development
Catapult
Plans for Catapult 3.0 will quadruple the square footage compared to its current facility. The new facility will increase the capacity of Catapult members from 140 to 400. It will provide space for private office users, coworkers, and kitchen users, and a fully functional 10,000-square-foot maker-space workshop and temporary retail space for those makers to test their concepts.
Scheduled to open in 2019.
Greenwise
Greenwise Market by Publix Supermarkets is scheduled to open its third location in Lakeland.
Scheduled to open in 2019.
Arts & Culture
Union Hall
A local performance and event venue is set to open on the corner of South Florida Avenue and Hunter Street.