Events

LAKELAND, FLORIDA—The holidays are right around the corner, and several downtown Lakeland businesses are participating in an open house Nov. 9 designed to get people into the spirit.

The open house will be held 6-9 p.m. and will include treats, demonstrations and drawings at several locations. Restaurants, antique and vintage stores, jewelers, insurance agencies, real estate brokers, and a martial arts center are involved.

Businesses participating in the open house include:

• Black Swan Bazaar- 229 N. Kentucky Ave.- Gift card drawing, treats and refreshments by “Got Candy” and a chance to meet many of their artists and designers.
• Brooke Pottery- 223 N. Kentucky Ave.- Guest artist and refreshments that include wine, cheese, juice and cookies.
• Creative Journeys- 215 Bay St., Ste. 3- Making Thanksgiving and Christmas cards.
• Crowell Insurance- 231 N. Kentucky Ave, Ste. 217- Hosting several vendors and displays.
• Herring Family Partnership- 231 N. Kentucky Ave.- Executive suites are available for viewing.
• Lloyds of Lakeland- 301 N. Kentucky Ave.- Refreshments and eight free marbles for children under 12.
• Lorrie Walker Communications- 231 N. Kentucky Ave., Ste. 209- Mad Men-style cocktails, cake pops and cupcakes.
• My Cottage Garden- 325 N. Kentucky Ave.- Treats and tea sampling.
• Parresol Jewelers- 327 N. Kentucky Ave.- Free wrist watch time check and drawing for a selected gift.
• Pumpernaks- 233 N. Tennessee Ave. (accessed via Traders Alley)- Drawing for a “fascinator” hat and free candy canes- get your first of the season!
• Rafa Natural- 229 N. Kentucky Ave.- Mini massages by Kayla, snacks and samples of Organo coffee.
• Reflections of the Past- 230 N. Kentucky Ave.- Hosting a “Super Sale.”
• Sifu Och’s Wing Chun Martial Arts- 116 E. Pine St.- Facility tour, if you enroll on the evening of the open house, the standard enrolment fee and first month class fee will be waived and you will receive a free uniform.
• SuSu’s Particulars- 229 N. Kentucky Ave.- Refreshments and drawing for a terrarium.
• The Scrappin’ Shack- 228 E. Pine St.- “Make and Take” Christmas gift bag and 10 percent off all Fall and Christmas products.
• Traditions Unlimited- 221 N. Kentucky Ave.- Demonstrations of fun holiday traditions including a candy cottage, you stuff it box, and the Christmas angel.

Other businesses participating include:

• Bay Street Bistro- 211 E. Bay St.
• Home Essentials- 314 N. Kentucky Ave.
• The Purple Onion- 316 N. Kentucky Ave.

“We’re excited about getting people downtown for this event,” says Yvonne Aguero, co-owner of Black Swan Bazaar. “There’s big ‘buy local’ movement going on in this county, and we hope people will keep that in mind as the holidays approach. This will be a great opportunity to pick up unique, one-of-a-kind items for those on your holiday shopping lists.”

Crowell Insurance and Lorrie Walker Communications, Inc. recently moved their businesses to Kentucky Avenue and view participating in the open house as a great way to spread the word that they’ve moved.

“We know lots of people will be here for the shopping opportunities, but we invite them to come check out our new space and enjoy some cake pops and cupcakes,” says Lorrie Delk Walker, president of Lorrie Walker Communications, a public relations firm.

For more information about the open house, call Yvonne Aguero at Black Swan Bazaar: (863) 510-5980.