Amidst the ocean breeze and tropical climate of Key West, high schooler Selina had fallen in love with the Sunshine State and told herself, “I would never live in the cold again.” Originally from Michigan, Selina was introduced to her newfound fashion style of lightweight and breathable clothing while living the island life. Years later, her high school outfits would become the inspiration behind her brand’s identity. Today, she calls Winter Haven, Florida, home and is the ow

It’s something about the words ‘bang bang,’ it’s so fun to say. It’s so easy to remember. And people always remember our name. Cake with a bang. We wanted [our] name to reflect what you’re feeling when you’re eating our cake. - Raquel Figueroa It’s a bang in every bite, in every jar, or plate waiting for the next customer to encounter the onomatopoeia of it all. One part idea, one part cake, one part icing, one part rum. And not the essence of rum … or rum extract … or rum fl

Vampire Penguin: Polk County’s Enchanted Parlor of Impossible Flavors This is the story of a magical shaved snow shop where each spoonful transports customers into the world the flavor was inspired by, a feast for the eyes and even better for your soul. When I walked into Vampire Penguin on a steamy Saturday afternoon, the dark brownish brick walls enveloped me in a cool, celestial, adventurous hug. I had stopped by the shop before it opened earlier in the year, so it was a d

Kokomo’s Cafe is the perfect lounge space for avid readers looking for their next page-turner while sipping away on a beverage of their choosing or eating lunch. The dreamy cafe offers a variety of drinks like tea, coffee, wine, and beer, and a carefully curated food menu with clean-sourced ingredients. The place was dreamt up by the owner herself, Chloe Shreeve, who has a passion for creating a space for people to unwind, be loved, and feel welcomed like a warm hug. Named af

In 2026, the world moves faster than ever. We order food from our phones, work remotely, and spend much of our lives communicating through screens. Yet somehow, coffee shops still matter, maybe now more than ever. As we celebrate 30 years of this little coffee shop being part of the community, I’ve found myself reflecting on what a place like this truly means today. Yes, people come in for coffee, breakfast, or a quick stop before work. But after spending the last two and a h

If you’re looking for a restaurant that feels like you’re visiting a dear friend of yours who made you a home-cooked meal, Maria Petit Food Boutique is the perfect spot. With antique wooden furniture painted in neutral and green colors, framed wall baskets with childhood trinkets and plants along the windowsills, it feels both welcoming and comforting from the moment you step in. “You get here, and you don’t feel like you’re eating at a restaurant. You feel at home, as if you

Whether you’ve heard of the three-year champion of the “Best of Florida Food Trucks” or not, you will now. Taco Riendo is a family-owned and operated Mexican cuisine food truck based in Lake Wales, FL, serving their food “Fresh, Hot and Authentic” since 2019. Taco Riendo originally began as an expression of love for sharing homemade tamales with individuals on the weekends out of a Thunderbird. It’s now grown into a family business serving an array of communities in Polk Coun

There’s a cherished tradition in Puerto Rico, when your cousin or uncle bursts through the door and announces, “I’ve brought the pitorro,” you know the party is about to begin. Pitorro, the island’s answer to American moonshine, is more than just a drink; it’s the heart of party culture, crafted in backyard stills and infused with fruit, then aged to perfection. Every region has its own recipe, and every family has their own secret method. Lugo’s Craft Distillery has carried

The moment you step into Noisettes Bakeshop, the aroma of toasted, buttery croissants warms your soul and brings a smile to your face. “I was just waiting for that one shot to get my space,” said Wendy Theroulde-Miller, the owner and baker of Noisettes, and after a year of looking for places since leaving her corporate job and several years of saving for that moment—the time finally came. On January 29, 2024, the love for baking she had cultivated while growing up in Trinidad

When was the last time you truly danced the night away? For generations, dance has been woven into the fabric of society. I’m a product of the 80s, and dancing was not only on everyone’s minds and schedules, but it was encoded in our DNA. Your biggest decision on Friday and Saturday night was which club you would go to. The new age of the MTV VJ was in full swing, and country line dancing was still a bit far off on the horizon. In LA, where I was living, there were Goth clubs

When Concord first opened in 2015, the owners had little knowledge about running a coffee shop. However, after a decade of maturing in their craft, Concord embodies their vision. A place where you’re greeted with friendly smiles and conversations that go beyond your order. “It’s not just about selling them coffee,” said the owners, “but, it’s about seeing how they’re doing even when it’s busy.” Whether you’re enjoying delicious, house-roasted coffee made just the way you like

From the genius mastermind behind LoveBird Almost Famous Chicken, Jeremy Brumley strikes gold again. Grievous Angel offers “deceptively good burgers + dogs.” They offer five different burgers, pictured is the Peppercorn Saint with white cheddar, sautéed mushrooms, black peppercorn sauce, and arugula. All burgers are doublepatty smash burgers on locally-made potato buns, and they are SO wickedly good. The “dogs” are Snap-O-Razzo maple-smoked beef hot dogs in natural casings, n

If you had to choose, which would you pick: teaching an entire class of T. Rexes how to paint (reminder about the big heads and little arms) or participate in a figure drawing class of Lady Gaga in her meat suit, but you’re blindfolded, so you have to rely on touch and smell? For Sara Jones, Director of SPACE Art Collective, there is no choice. “T-Rex art class. Easy. Literally the same as teaching art to Kindergarteners, which I do on the regular.” Maybe one day T. Rex art c

WHAT NOTTA? If Lakeland were the “small” town setting for a budding film festival romcom and the main characters met up for a day date, they would meet at Notta Gallery. With the farmers market in the background, they would stroll up the incline of N. Kentucky Ave. knowing Downtown was the perfect choice. There are just enough people around to not feel either secluded or overwhelmed. There is just enough happening to provide options just in case the date goes stale. They woul

Andrew Logans Artisan Chocolates & Confections began as a dream rooted in a lifelong passion for baking and a newfound love for chocolate-making. “I’ve had a passion for cooking and baking since middle school, and that passion has only grown over the years,” Mark Sutton, the founder of Andrew Logans explains. “I always knew I wanted to start a business but wasn’t sure what direction to take. About six years ago, I began experimenting with chocolate-making and quickly discover

Meet Me in Mulberry When you think of Mulberry, it’s unlikely that the first thing to cross your mind would be “popular food destination.” You might think of phosphate mining, railroads and that it seems far away. The truth is, Mulberry is much easier to get to than you might realize. In fact, the town’s location at the crossroads of State Road 60 and FL-37 make it an ideal meet-up point, around an easy half hour’s drive from Winter Haven, downtown Lakeland, Lake Wales, and B

This real life choose-your-own-adventure story opens with a sweet bag of nuts. No scary twists or sad plots, just a story where something small can make the difference. In the first chapter, you randomly attend a festival near your son’s home in your son’s new state. You find a treat for you and your spouse to try. You find nuts. Roasted nuts. Roasted, flavored nuts of a variety. Roasted, flavored nuts that would fit nicely as an addition to your concessions menu at your fami

Hold on to your hats, Polk County! There’s a new destination in Central Florida and it’s right in your backyard. If you’ve driven down Highway 27 between Haines City and Dundee recently, you may already be waiting with delightful anticipation to find out what’s been brewing on big Lake Hamilton. The answer: beer, coffee, and family fun for all ages. Port 27 is set to open in early spring and is sure to become a hotspot for locals and visitors alike. Nestled on the shore of La

You can debate the luxuries of 4-D, surround sound, IMAX experiences, and electronic reclining chairs till the credits appear, but born-and-raised Polk County residents will tell you the best place to see a movie in town has none of those. They’ll wax poetic about the Silver Moon Drive-In, and its Americana theater experience: the smell of popcorn, a freshly baked pizza on your dash, the sound quality that can only be achieved by speakers in an enclosed space, the prices that

A familiar holiday tradition is getting a fresh touch this year! While there’s a new face behind the festive magic, the heart and soul of Carols in the Park remain the same. The new team is dedicated to keeping the holiday spirit alive, with all the twinkling lights, handcrafted treasures, and cozy treats you know and love. They’re adding a sprinkle of new surprises while holding tight to the timeless charm that makes the market so special. We sit down with Destroyer Media &

Olivia Sanchez is transforming the local beauty scene using an eco-conscious approach with her company, Sudz Cauldron. Passionate about crafting products that are as kind to the environment as they are to the skin, this maker shares the story behind its sustainable practices, natural ingredients, and the mission to make beauty routines more earth-friendly. Olivia was born in Illinois and moved to Haines City in the sixth grade. She went to Polk State College for her AA, the U

The couple behind Hart Art, Caroline and Laurie Hart, have had an exciting year. What started with a tiki bar turned into their own art gallery at a local resort. But more on that later. Let’s catch up with the Harts! The Hart Art story is one of international love, civil rights hard fought and won, and a shared creativity turned livelihood. Caroline hails from a small West Sussex village. She had a career in the radio industry, including the U.K.’s number-one commercial radi

Richard’s is the kind of place where it’s easy to sit down and get lost in a book over a piping hot cup of tea or catch up with friends over cold brew. When Dave Tuttle started Richard’s Fine Coffees nearly 30 years ago, that was his vision – a place “where you could get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Drift off, if you wish, into another world.” No one knows Richard’s cozy home-feel better than new owners Koreen and Jimmy Hobbs. Richard’s Fine Coffees was K

Farhad and Gianna Rahmani, who met working as real estate agents, always knew they wanted to work with family. Farhad loved food and even remembers eating a tray packed full of McDonald’s items upon his arrival in America. He knew that he got joy out of cooking, so what better than to cook for others alongside his family? Farhad felt that he benefited greatly from learning to cook from his mother. “That helped me a lot,” he said, “I was able to feed myself.” He traveled a lon