2 minute read
The Joinery
A booming Lakeland welcomes its first-ever food hall
Written by Charmaine Patterson
What was previously known as Lakeland Brewing Co. is now the home of Lakeland’s first-ever food hall, set for a place where foodies and families can indulge.
Owned by Sarah and Jonathan Bucklew, The Joinery is a stylish and modern artisan food hall and craft brewery in downtown Lakeland on Main St.
After a series of soft openings for its family, friends, city entities (such as the Lakeland Economic Development Council) The Joinery opened its doors to the public (via a new soft opening) for the first time on January 20, 2020.
“The city has just done a lot to help us with this. The [Lakeland Community Redevelopment Agency] gave us a grant for the project, so we wanted to say thank you to them for that,” says Sarah. “The building inspectors, the fire marshals, everybody had been very involved and very helpful.”
Despite the makeover, the heart and soul of Lakeland Brewing Co. are still present as the logo remains on the ground just inside of what’s been transformed into an eating patio for customers. That space was previously the front entrance during the Lakeland Brewing Co. days.
“I think it’s really cool. I wanted to keep it because it really speaks to what the building used to be,” says Sarah.
The new front door for The Joinery is on the side of the building for easier access from the parking lot.
When first walking into the building, patrons are met with a bright and open U-shaped selection of seven vendors that sell a variety of goodies from florals to coffee, small gourmet plates, sushi, pizza, and ice cream. The front area is complete with a directory to help customers navigate through all The Joinery – including options for picky eaters and kids.
Sarah predicts that one of the favorites will be the s’mores kits topped with gourmet marshmallows. Those s’mores can be enjoyed in the fire pit area outdoors, which has a clear view of trains rolling through downtown.
The Joinery has come a long way since the Bucklews first leased the space in September 2018. It now also touts a full bar, large garage windows for a scenic view, and pays homage to vintage Florida with decorative breeze blocks used to separate a small eating area from a space designated for ordering and waiting for food.
The area also includes a large dining space that easily sits 100, making The Joinery a potential commodity for venue rentals hosting large crowds.
The primary artwork displayed also features oversized postcards of some of Florida’s most notable spaces.
It’s clear Sarah and Jonathan have thought of nearly everything with The Joinery’s concept, even the bathrooms as Sarah proudly says each is uniquely designed.
Staying true to the brewery-style venue, The Joinery is complete with a row of supersized brewing containers on the back of the wall behind the bar, giving customers a behind-thescenes look.
The chatter around the highly-anticipated opening has already made The Joinery a Lakeland hot spot.
