Award-Winning Lakeland IT Service Management Company Celebrates Ribbon Cutting Of New Facility

by James Coulter

An award-winning information technology (IT) service management company, which manages the networks for businesses throughout the county, recently celebrated the grand opening of its new location in Lakeland.

Alltek Services had previously operated from a warehouse along Drane Field Road in Lakeland. It has since opened a new larger facility at Interstate Road. The company celebrated its new facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce on Thursday.

Since its humble beginnings 15 years ago, Alltek Services has since grown and expanded its services, offering support for networks throughout the county. Its quality service has earned it many awards, including being recognized as Top Managed IT Service Providers by Tampa Bay Business Journal.

“In short, we are here to shoulder your business IT burden freeing you up to focus on growing your business,” its website states. “Our goal is to provide you with the best solutions to maximize efficiency, increase profitability, communicate effectively, and become the market leader in your industry.”

Such high quality has benefited many local medium-sized businesses, and even important county and city institutions such as the Citrus Connection, which ranked the company with five stars on its website: “Alltek provides superior service. Even with a reduced IT dept, all of our needs are met and we save money in the process. Could not be happier.”

Alltek started humbly enough in a warehouse with two people in 2003. Since then, its staff has grown to 20 people. Such growth has prompted the need for a larger facility, which they opened recently at Interstate Road.

Taher Hamid, Marketing Manager, owes their success to their commitment to the local community. Many of their staff members are locals, and thus have a finger to the pulse of their community. Hamid himself has especially been involved with local affairs.

“I am the one most active within the community,” he said. “People see me the most from Alltek, but that is only because everyone else is working really hard…We are happy that the community is allowing us to do that.”

Amanda Walls, Lakeland Chamber Board Member, had attended Leadership Lakeland Class 36 with Hamid. Having worked alongside him, she can attest that his hard work and determination are key to both his success and that of the company he works for.

“Through that experience, I learned how hard he works, how commited he is to his job, and [to] making Alltek successful, and more importantly, how commited he is to the community,” she said. “I can only imagine that the rest of the team at Alltekreflects those exact same values and principles. So I am very proud and happy to stand with you today to say congratulations on your new location.”

Alltek Services is located at 2850 Interstate Dr. Suite 168, Lakeland, FL 33805. For more information, call 863-709-0709, or visit their website at: https://www.alltekservices.com/

Love Was In The Air During Downtown Lakeland Date Night

by James Coulter

Roses are red. The soil is brown. Date night was fun at Lakeland Downtown. Valentine’s Day certainly was great, when all of the stores were open late.

Hundreds of couples and other guests were able to peruse the streets of Downtown Lakeland and visit many of the local establishments during the area’s bi-annual date night.

Twice a year, various local stores and eateries remain open after hours in Downtown Lakeland, allowing visitors to check out their establishments during a special date night.

The first date night this year, poetically enough, was hosted on Valentine’s Day, allowing for an especially romantic evening. Couples and other attendees could ride horse-drawn carriages, take a selfie with cupid, and even receive a free rose.

Many stores offered half-off specials and even free samples, while many resturaunts provided discounted specials, many for meals for two. Another date night is planned for later this summer.

Whenever these date nights are planned, they draw in many curious visitors, many of whom have never frequented these local businesses involved, explained Brittany Melson, Marketing & Events Manager for Downtown Lakeland.

“It is a way for people to explore stores that normally aren’t open late, and it adds a little extra fun for nighttime people in Downtown,” she said.

Previous date nights have incorporated special activities that allow guests to better explore and appreciate the downtown area. The previous date night in July incorporated a scavenger hunt, while another event hosted a runway show with clothing provided by local boutiques.

“If you haven’t checked out Downtown Lakeland, you should. We have resturaunts and some really good retail stores and it is a fun place to be,” Melson said.

One local store participating that evening was Top Buttons, a local boutique that sells used clothing to help raise money for various local non-profit organizations such as PACE Center for Girls and Porchlight.

Last week’s event was the first time that Michelle Sells, a staff member of the store, participated. She saw many young women and even couples visit the store that evening.

“We love being able to visit with people and get to know people, and it is neat for the husband and wife teams come out,” she said. “We usually see many of the women teams come in together with their friends, and so it is neat to see their husbands and wives come in tonight.”

Aaron Mueller, Co-Owner of Lakeland CBD Wellness, also participate that evening with his business. His store offered free samples of their ice cream, infused with CBD isolate.

As the name of their store suggests, CBD Wellness offers many items with cannabidiol (CBD), a chemical extract from hemp that does not contain the addictive and harmful tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in marijuana. As such, CBD offers the positive health benefits of marijuana without the high.

Their store sells everything from ice cream and gummy candies to bath bombs and face balms. Mueller had the opportunity to market their products to the public while educating them about the benefits of CBD.

“A lot of people came in either trying ours samples or educating themselves on CBDs in general,” he explained. “It has been pretty good. We have a pretty decent turnout. Everyone else seems to be happy, sharing a lot of time with loved ones.”

LRC Hosts For The Love Of Learning Charity Gala

by James Coulter

Kurt & Kimberly Elmhorst have children who have utilized the tutoring and test prep services of the Learning Resource Center (LRC) in Lakeland. As such, they both know from firsthand experience how important LRC is to the local community.

“We know the good that LRC does in the community for the students,” Kimberly said. “Both of our children have used LRC, and that is one of the many reasons we wanted to help out.”

“I like being around other like–minded people who also believe in children and education and helping the community,” Kurt said.

As proud parents whose children have benefited from its educational services, the couple decided to help support the LRC by hosting its annual charity fundraiser at their house last Saturday evening.

The Elmhorst’s allowed their elegant home to serve as the venue of “The Love Of Learning Charity Gala”, which included silent auction items provided by local businesses, and gourmet appetizers and cooking provided by Terrie Lobb Catering.

Each year, the annual fundraiser is hosted to raise proceeds for the Learning Resource Center. Founded in 1975 by the Junior League of Greater Lakeland, the LRC provided educational services such as test prep classes and tutoring.

“LRC today has over 500 certified teachers who provide countywide services to over 4,000 students ages five through adult,” its website states. “As the premier provider of high quality, customized academic opportunities, LRC will shape educational futures and will be the ultimate model of learning excellence in our region.”

The annual fundraiser is hosted each year at different residences of staff members, volunteers, and other supporters. Each year draws in at least 130 to 170 attendees, explained Mike Carter, President Of The Board of Trustees.

Proceeds from the fundraiser goes towards funding the LRC and its many programs, services, and scholarships. Both this event and Lakeland Pigfest are two major fundraisers, and the support they receive from both ensure that the LRC can, in turn, support the community that supports them, Carter said.

“We provide education services to children and adults to this community, and we appreciate the service we get from our community partners,” he said. “I enjoy seeing the people who come here, the people who support this organization and have for a long time for them. We love to get together with them and see how everybody is doing.”