Lakelanders’ Choice Award Winners:
Top Art + Culture
What is Lakeland? It is the sum of people, how they express themselves and what they love to spend their time doing. Nearly 3,400 Lakelanders cast their votes in the inaugural Lakelanders’ Choice Awards, and here are some of their favorites related to Art + Culture
Best Book Store
1st Place Winner
Pressed Books & Coffee
Pressed is more than a book store—it has become a beloved community gathering space. They constantly curate new and used books that span interests and genres, and their coffee bar roasts locally sourced Ethos and serves up local baked goods. With regularly scheduled events including “meet the author” sessions and book clubs, people have many reasons to stop in and stay awhile.
213 E. Bay St., PressedLKLD.com
2nd Place
Gospel Inn Bookstore
3rd Place
Little Bus Books
Best Video Production Co.
1st Place Winner
Indie Atlantic Films
Founded by Andy McEntire in 2006, the team of passionate and gifted storytellers made a name for itself at home with vivid videography of local organizations, schools and businesses. But it has grown to produce award-winning documentaries,
compelling national commercials and captivating campaigns and projects that continue to engage people in fresh ways.
1037 Florida Ave. S Suite 106, IndieAtlantic.com
2nd Place
NFocus Studios
3rd Place
The Collection Media
Best Jeweler
1st Place Winner
Munchel’s Fine Jewelry
The family-owned retailer has been a Lakeland staple since 1982, and is a one-stop shop for bridal jewelry, diamonds and watches, as well as a buyer of gold, jewelry, coins and more. Their expertise and commitment to personally meeting each customer’s need shines through their storied history.
3227 Florida Ave. S., Munchels.com
2nd Place
Foshee Jewelers
3rd Place
Gaines Jewelers
Best Festival or Event
1st Place Winner
Lakeland Christmas Parade
Camping chairs and blankets line the curbside of downtown Lakeland at dawn the morning of this
annual holiday celebration. For the past 42 years, floats, bands, bikes, motorcycles—an even an occasional marriage proposal—have ushered Lakelanders into the most wonderful time of the year.
Downtown
2nd Place
Lakeland Pigfest
3rd Place
Sun n Fun, Mayfaire by the Lake (tie)
Best Venue
1st Place Winner
Bonnet Springs Park Event Center
The exposed wood features, omnipresent natural light, delightful outdoor photo opps and ideal location near the heart of downtown have made this newer spot an instant winner for weddings, fundraisers, birthday parties,
corporate events and more.
400 Bonnet Spgs Blvd., BonnetSpringsPark.com
2nd Place
Haus 820
3rd Place
Union Hall
Best Golf Course
1st Place Winner
Cleveland Heights Golf Course
The 27-hole, city owned course is where young golfers go to learn, casual golfers tee it up to realize dreams without leaving their day-to-day reality, and every
regular tells scores greater than their score under par.
2900 Buckingham Ave., ClevelandHeightsGolf.com