Lakeland Business Guide 2019 Chamber Guide_2019 | Page 18
L
akeland’s robust restaurant
industry is growing. Whether
you’re looking for the perfect
happy-hour hot spot or a
specific menu item for a picky friend,
there is sure to be a bar or restaurant that
will suit everyone’s tastes.
As a self-proclaimed semi-professional
foodie, I am always thrilled when I hear
about new restaurants opening in Lakeland.
Food has a way of bringing people together,
and the local cuisine is a reflection of the
vibrant and diverse city we have all come
to know and love. I was ecstatic when
presented with the opportunity to find out
more about how the Lakeland Chamber of
Commerce is contributing to the growth
of Lakeland’s restaurant industry, helping
restaurant owners serve up good times that
never expire.
“While a lot of chambers around the
world are slowly dying, Lakeland’s is not,”
says Tora Miller, director of marketing
and communication for the Lakeland
Chamber of Commerce. Miller is tasked
with sharing the story of the Chamber
and its members to all Lakelanders,
cultivating community by spreading
the word through their web platforms,
newsletters, press releases, and events.
As a Lakelander for almost all her life,
Miller has loved seeing the growth of
the restaurant industry in Lakeland over
the years. “I always enjoyed going out
downtown to restaurants, bars, and local
hot spots,” she says.
More and more restaurant owners are
seeing the value in choosing to open in
Lakeland, and deciding to invest their
time and money for the opportunity to
serve its people. Each of these restaurant
locations offers a unique spin on food and
drink, equally appealing to the palates of
Lakelanders and visitors alike.
In 2018 alone, 17 brand-new bars and
restaurants joined the Lakeland Chamber
of Commerce; among them were Revival
Classic Cocktails, Mojo Federal Swine &
Spirits, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Jason’s Deli, Pita
Pit, and Jade Fox Wine Bar & Lounge.
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