The Shields Painting Difference: Perfection with Every Brush Stroke
Many painting companies in Florida rely on flashy marketing and big promises to try and attract new clients. But when it comes time to work, they fall short of their promises. This is often due to a lack of experience, qualified painters, and a drive to overachieve. At Shields Painting, we do things a little differently than other painting companies in Citrus County. We believe that a professional paint job should be as close to perfect as possible. Our goal is to leave you 100% satisfied, whether we're touching up an old residential paint job or performing a complex commercial project. It might sound simple, but we achieve that goal through honesty, hard work, beautiful results, and reasonable pricing.
As a family-owned and operated painting company in South Brooksville, FL, we strive to provide personalized, professional, and friendly service. Shields Painting has been in business since 1968 for a good reason. Whenever possible, we go the extra mile to make sure our customers are happy. Unlike some of our competition, we want to know all about your house or business painting project: your vision, your preferences, your challenges, and your goals. When we understand your needs, we can present you with a fantastic final product - one that you're proud to show off to friends and neighbors.
At Shields Painting, we combine our extensive experience with time-tested, meticulous painting processes, resulting in the highest quality painting results around. As a painting contractor in Citrus County, we can take on a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial projects in Florida.
A few of our most popular painting services include:
- Interior Painting
- Exterior Painting
- Residential Painting
- Commercial Painting
- Cabinet Painting
- Ceiling Painting
- Fence Painting
- Sign Painting
- MUCH More!
Our commercial, industrial, and residential painting contractors take the proper steps to protect your property and belongings while we work. Our team will clean up after ourselves, so your property is left clean and free of debris when we're done. After all, we think there's only one way to do a job, and that's the right way.
Painting Services
Eco-friendly & clean work area.
PDCA Certified Member.
Your Go-To House Painting Company in South Brooksville, FL
Your home is a haven of relaxation and solitude. It is uniquely you - a place where you can express who you are through style and design. Whether you need interior touch-ups for your crown molding or a new exterior coat of paint, hiring a reliable painting contractor is the best way to get quality results.
At Shields Painting, we know how important it is to have a home that highlights your tastes and personality. That's why we offer an extensive array of residential painting services in Citrus County. As tempting as it might be to try a DIY paint job, without the proper skills and experience, there is a good chance that the results will turn out less than satisfactory.
High-quality painting requires skill, experience, and patience. If you're a homeowner who needs residential painting services but doesn't have the time, patience, or skills to handle the job, look no further than Shields Painting. We offer accuracy, precision, and longevity with each paint job we perform. Our customers choose Shields Painting for their home because they receive:
- Free Quotes with Detailed Project Breakdowns
- Affordable Pricing
- Expert Painting Contractors
- High-Quality Paint Products
- Combo of Traditional and Modern Techniques
- Well-Maintained Tools
- Unmatched Craftsmanship
- Friendly, Personalized Service
- Good Old-Fashioned Hard Work!
The majority of our house painting services come in two forms: interior and exterior.
Interior Residential Painting
As an interior painting contractor with decades of experience, our expert technicians have developed an interior painting process that maximizes quality and emphasizes customer satisfaction. We understand that interior painting goes beyond aesthetics. It protects your ceilings and walls and helps you sustain a healthier place to live for your family. When only the finest craftsmanship will do inside your home, Shields Painting is here for you.
Our seasoned team of painting experts and craftsmen is dedicated to respecting your space and providing you with the look and feel you're craving inside your home. Whether you bought a new house and want to make it your own or need minor touch-ups but have no time, Shields Painting is ready to tackle the job, no matter how small or large.
Unlike some painting companies, our interior house painters take the time to get the details right, every time. For instance, color is only one aspect of your interior paint job. The paint sheen or finish is just as important. Certain finishes are better for living rooms and bedrooms than in kitchens and bathrooms. We'll help you find the right finish and paint colors for your home, so you don't have to worry about touch-ups or repainting.
Some of our most popular interior house painting services include:
- Ceiling Painting
- Popcorn Ceiling Removal
- Living Room Painting
- Bathroom Painting
- Basement Painting
- Color Consultations
- More
Cabinet Painting
Citrus County cabinet painting deserves its own section on this page because it requires more time, skill, and quality paint than most sections of your home. If your home's cabinets are built into its woodwork, replacing them can be obnoxiously expensive. Compared to the cost of installing new cabinets, painting your kitchen cabinets is much more affordable.
At Shields Painting, we specialize in transforming old cabinets into new, gorgeous features that are just as usable as they are beautiful. Each step of our cabinet painting process is meticulous and thorough. And we'll take care of the entire job, from cleaning, prep, and sanding to priming, painting, and reassembly. This unique service lets you enjoy a brand-new look in your kitchen without having to go into debt by replacing your cabinets.
Whether your cabinets are new, but you want to change their color or you'd like to transition wood cabinets to a painted finish, Shields Painting has the expertise and experience to give you a new look you'll love.
Exterior Residential Painting
Your home - it's a place that not only keeps your belongings safe. It protects your family and loved ones, too. It's one of your largest investments, and like anything else of value, it should be protected. However, Florida weather can take a toll on your home's structure and paint, lowering your home's value and even putting your family at risk.
While it's true that a beautiful exterior affects your house's value, it shouldn't take thousands of remodeling dollars to make a positive change to your home. There's a fine line between reasonable pricing and top-quality painting, and that sweet spot is what Shields Painting aims for. If you want to transform how your friends and neighbors see your home, never underestimate the power of a professional paint job.
Our exterior residential painting services are designed to boost curb appeal, give your home a fresh look, and help it stand up to Florida's unique weather. But we provide more than that. When you hire Shields Painting for your outdoor painting project, you will enjoy peace of mind in knowing that your home is in truly capable hands. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and help bring out the best in your property, whether you need to re-stain your deck or remove old, peeling paint from your siding.
If you're on the hunt for the very best exterior painting contractor in South Brooksville, FL, look no further than Shields Painting.
Some of our most popular exterior house painting services include:
- Vinyl Siding Painting
- Deck Painting and Staining
- Stucco Exterior Painting
- Wood Exterior Painting
- Porch Painting and Staining
- Soffit Painting
- Fascia Painting
- Window Painting
- Front Door Painting
- Thorough Painting Prep
- More
The Premier Commercial Painting Company in South Brooksville, FL
When it comes to first impressions, your businesses' appearance plays an important role. Your commercial property's paint job factors into its overall aesthetics. A great-looking, well-maintained paint job can mean the difference between a customer walking in your storefront and passing by. Conversely, an old, worn-out commercial paint job can send the wrong message to prospective customers. If you can't take the time to keep up your property's appearance, why would a customer spend their hard-earned money on your products?
The same goes for your businesses' interior paint. Would you want to do business with a company that has peeling paint or unsightly crown molding? At Shield's Painting, our goal is to create a beautiful environment that your customers and employees will love inside and out. When you work with our business painters, you can rest easy knowing we treat your business like it were our own. We always clean up after ourselves and know that operations cannot come to a halt just because we're painting. As such, we'll work with your busy schedule to ensure the job gets done right the first time without disrupting your day-to-day commitments.
With decades of commercial painting experience, we know the demands of a commercial painting project necessitate a disciplined and focused approach from the start. Our team of business painters is committed to delivering quality, on-time results on every project, every time - no excuses
We offer professional business painting services to a variety of building types, including:
01
Industrial Painting
A high level of care and finesse are required to effectively paint an industrial property. At Shields Painting, we know that industrial paint jobs involve much more than aesthetics. That's why our industrial services are customized to your specifications, using industrial-grade materials that stand up to heavy-duty operations.
02
Retail Store Painting
Our commercial painters apply effective, yet appealing interior and exterior paint that stand up to the daily rigors of busy retail environments.
03
Small Business Painting
Do you own a restaurant franchise? Have a small "mom and pop" location that needs a fresh coat of paint? Shields Painting has the resources and reliability to efficiently get the job done the first time. That way, you can focus on serving your customers, not having your business repainted.
04
Healthcare Location Painting
From walk-in clinics to long-term care facilities, Shields Painting is sensitive to your patients' needs. We know you must protect your patient's privacy while maintaining productivity. Our approach to healthcare location painting centers around your schedule to avoid disruptions in care.
05
Apartment Complex Painting
Erase signs of wear and make your apartment complex or multi-family building a more desirable place to live with a stunning, professional paint job.
Florida's Most Trusted Painting Contractor
Shields Painting has been in the business since 1968. In a world where so much has changed, we are proud to uphold the ideals that make us successful: hard, honest work, getting the job done right, and excellent customer service. Providing you with trustworthy, quality work will always take priority over rushing through a project to serve the next customer. That is just not the way we choose to do business.
As professionals dedicated to perfection, we strive to provide a unique painting experience for every customer - one that focuses on their needs and desires instead of our own. Whether you need residential painting for your home or commercial painting for your business, we encourage you to reach out today to speak with our customer service team. Whether you have big ideas about a new paint project or need our expertise and guidance, we look forward to hearing from you soon.
352-212-1533Free Consultation
Latest News in South Brooksville, FL
City Council approves of modified South Brooksville CRA map
Lisa MacNeilhttps://www.hernandosun.com/2023/01/16/city-council-approves-of-modified-south-brooksville-cra-map/
The Brooksville City Council gave the green light for the proposed Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) map for South Brooksville. The map shows the boundaries of the special tax district designed to bring more money to the area in order to restore homes and businesses. Renewed buildings are expected to increase in value, netting additional tax dollars for the community.Under Florida law, local governments may specify an area as a CRA if it’s determined that there are blight conditions within that area (through a formal process ...
The Brooksville City Council gave the green light for the proposed Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) map for South Brooksville. The map shows the boundaries of the special tax district designed to bring more money to the area in order to restore homes and businesses. Renewed buildings are expected to increase in value, netting additional tax dollars for the community.
Under Florida law, local governments may specify an area as a CRA if it’s determined that there are blight conditions within that area (through a formal process called a Finding of Necessity). For example, substandard structures, insufficient roadways, and lack of affordable housing are some conditions that could lead to establishing a CRA. There are around 220 CRAs in Florida.
The local government appoints five to seven individuals to the Community Redevelopment Agency. The agency administers programs offered within the CRA. They also develop the Community Redevelopment Plan that identifies projects and goals.
A funding mechanism available to a Community Redevelopment Area is Tax Incremental Financing (TIF), whereby the value of real property within the CRA is ‘frozen’ on a specific date. Any tax revenues from property value increasing over this base value goes to the CRA trust fund and are earmarked for redevelopment of the CRA. The government taxing authority receives property tax revenues based on the frozen value if property values have increased. TIF would depend on rising property values, which has been the case in recent years.
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Michelle Miller, Planning Administrator for Hernando County, together with Connie Green, President of the Tax Redevelopment Advisory Committee (TRAC) presented a map that was shown to the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on November 29, 2022. The BOCC at that time deferred the decision to the City to determine if the boundaries were acceptable.
The proposed map, now approved by the city council, includes modifications to reduce the number of commercial properties within the boundary so that it does not have a significant impact on the City’s tax base. The original map developed by TRAC extended to 41 and included businesses along that corridor; the approved map only extends as far west as South Mildred Ave, avoiding the commercial district along 41. Further modification of the new district may happen in the future as details are sorted out.
In addition to increasing tax revenue, creating the South Brooksville CRA will make the area eligible for State grants for which an established CRA is required.
The next steps are to incorporate any revisions into the new proposed map, which then goes back to TRAC for approval on January 23, 2023. After that, a Finding of Necessity will be developed for the creation of the CRA. The matter is expected to appear before the BOCC and the City Council for final approval.
City and county asked for input on South Brooksville CRA maps
Russell S. Thompsonhttps://www.hernandosun.com/2022/12/09/city-and-county-asked-for-input-on-south-brooksville-cra-maps/
At the regular Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting on November 29, 2022, County Planning Administrator Michelle Miller and Connie Green, the President of the Tax Redevelopment Advisory Committee (TRAC), presented two proposed maps of the South Brooksville Community Redevelopment Area (CRA). TRAC created one map, and Miller and her staff created another map.The BOCC held no vote and awaits consensus from the Brooksville City council, which will hear the presentation on December 19, 2022.Under Florida law, local governme...
At the regular Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting on November 29, 2022, County Planning Administrator Michelle Miller and Connie Green, the President of the Tax Redevelopment Advisory Committee (TRAC), presented two proposed maps of the South Brooksville Community Redevelopment Area (CRA). TRAC created one map, and Miller and her staff created another map.
The BOCC held no vote and awaits consensus from the Brooksville City council, which will hear the presentation on December 19, 2022.
Under Florida law, local governments may specify an area as a CRA if it’s determined that there are blight conditions within that area (through a formal process called a Finding of Necessity). For example, substandard structures, insufficient roadways, and lack of affordable housing are some conditions that could lead to establishing a CRA. There are around 220 CRAs in Florida.
The local government appoints five to seven individuals to the Community Redevelopment Agency. The agency administers programs offered within the CRA. They also develop the Community Redevelopment Plan that identifies projects and goals.
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A funding mechanism available to a Community Redevelopment Area is Tax Incremental Financing (TIF), whereby the value of real property within the CRA is ‘frozen’ on a specific date. Any tax revenues from property value increasing over this base value goes to the CRA trust fund and are earmarked for redevelopment of the CRA. The government taxing authority receives property tax revenues based on the frozen value if property values have increased. TIF would depend on rising property values, which has been the case in recent years.
There are two CRAs within Hernando County: The City of Brooksville CRA and the Kass Circle CRA. Both CRAs utilize the TIF funding mechanism according to the state’s special district profile for each CRA.
TRAC is a subcommittee of the Pasco-Hernando State College Community Conversations Meetings, where the South Brooksville redevelopment efforts originated. The goal of TRAC is to bring more tax dollars into the community. Green said that the sum of TRAC’s goals is “to revitalize South Brooksville in hopes to offer a better quality of life.”
The original CRA boundary only included unincorporated areas outside the city limits. The new boundary maps include the City of Brooksville. The first map recommended by TRAC shows the western boundary, including US 41. However, Miller said, “In some of our initial discussions with the city itself, if we were to expand the CRA boundary this far to the west, [it] could be detrimental to the city in terms of its tax base.”
The map recommended by county staff shows the western border of the CRA of South Mildred Avenue, keeping the rest of the boundary unchanged from TRAC’s. This area keeps taxes along the commercial corridor of US 41 / Broad street within the city of Brooksville, funding city priorities. It does include some commercial tax base that would benefit the South Brooksville CRA.
Chairman John Allocco voiced some concern, “In the long run, how would that be good for the South Brooksville CRA if the City of Brooksville had a significant loss in revenues?”
Miller responded, “Once we get initial buy-in from the city and from the county, the outreach to the businesses and to the actual community will grow significantly.”
Green stated that the Brooksville City Council members have attended TRAC meetings and given their input on the boundaries; however, there was no discussion from City officials at this county board meeting.
TRAC meets on the fourth Thursday of each month. The next meeting will be at the Elks on Thursday, January 26, 2023.
Settled atop a hill in 1856, the historic City of Brooksville was formed with its rich history and old-world charm. A spot for incredible outdoor activities and delightful shops and restaurants, Brooksville Main Street has been distinguished as a ‘main’ example of metropolitan excellence. On Dec. 2, Secretary of State Cord Byrd announced that Brooksville Main Street has been designated the December 2022 Florida Main Street Program of the Month. Secretary Byrd stated, “I am delighted to recognize Brooksville Main Street as the Florida Main Street Program of the Month. This historic city on a hill is an excellent example of how to create a sense of community that appeals to every generation.”
Two months ago, Kahler was notified by Kathie Beck, executive director of the Florida Main Street program, regarding her program’s impending honor. Florida Main Street is a program administered by the Division of Historical Resources under the Florida Department of State, which currently oversees 59 communities throughout the state. By implementing the National Main Street Center’s Four-Point Approach, Florida Main Street encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation through the revitalization of Florida’s downtowns – the community’s heart and soul.
“I was happy,” she said. “This honor is special, validating all of our hard work.” Brooksville Main Street claims its origins in 2017, through the establishment of a nonprofit organization “dedicated to making Brooksville the best version of itself for businesses, residents, and all lovers of the small city.”
Kahler shared, “It all started with Barbara Manuel, (original Chair of the Promotion Committee for Brooksville Main Street). It started with decorations, then celebrations.” Indeed, a cornerstone of the Main Street program takes the form of the many holiday celebrations that effectively transform the downtown area into a winter wonderland during the holiday season.
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“The Christmas season is one of the signature programs that won us the honor,” said Kahler. The centerpiece of a classic Brooksville Main Street program stands tall in the form of a 30-foot-tall tree at the Hernando County Courthouse; a focal point as residents and guests enjoy a whole host of festive seasonal events, many of which are free and open to the public.
“Our annual tree lighting draws as many as 10,000 people,” said Kahler. “We have public performances of music and dance, with valued partners like Live Oak Theatre. We have a Family Christmas Festival, this year to take place on Dec. 20, featuring Santa and Mrs. Clause, crafts, games, live entertainment and vendors, and a live DJ. We have a Sensory Santa experience, sleigh rides, photo ops and much more.”
Other holiday Main Street programs include the Festival of Trees, a display and auctioning of trees decorated by local businesses, which this year raised $3,000 for Main Street programs, Holiday Stroll on South Brooksville Avenue, the Christmas Courthouse Live music and dance presentations and the display of a 16-foot-tall ornament. “We receive such amazing feedback for our programs, with people saying that it wouldn’t feel like Christmas in Brooksville without these celebrations,” said Kahler.
As a whole, the Main Street program garners a great deal of positive acclaim, and for a good reason too! Kahler stated, “What Brooksville Main Street has been able to accomplish in a short five years seems magical, but it really is the hard work of hundreds of volunteers deeply committed to our hometown. A donor the other day told me there is a spirit of giving over Brooksville right now. I couldn’t agree more – a spirit of giving of our time, talent and treasure is in the air. It’s beyond rewarding to be involved at this moment in this city – and I believe we will look back at this time in Brooksville as one of pivotal positive placemaking.”
Aside from yuletide happenings, Brooksville Main Street hosts other popular events during the year such as the Brooksville Blueberry Festival, the Florida Mermaid Trail Festival, and Founders’ Week. Brooksville Main Street instituted a pair of popular walking trails, the Florida Mermaid Trail and TourBVL, that have won awards from Florida’s Secretary of State during the annual Preservation on Main Street Conference. Brooksville Main Street also administers a number of artistic programs, such as the Mobile Mural program and Friday Night Live concert performances.
“Since 2017, Brooksville Main Street has reported approximately $9,176,635 in public and private reinvestments and welcomed 30 net new businesses to the district,” read information released through Brooksville Main Street. “Volunteers have served over 16,739 hours to make their success possible.”
For more information regarding Brooksville Main Street, visit WeLoveBVL.org, on Facebook.com/BrooksvilleMainStreet, or Instagram at Instagram.com/BrooksvilleMainStreet. To learn more about the Florida Main Street program, visit FloridaMainStreet.com or Facebook.com/FloridaMainStreet. “In the future, with the help of more volunteers and more committees,” said Kahler. “Brooksville Main Street will only get bigger and better.”
THINGS TO DO IN BROOKSVILLE, FLORIDA
Mike Millerhttps://www.florida-backroads-travel.com/brooksville-florida.html
Brooksville, Florida Things To Do, Lodging, Dining, & Real Estate At End Of ArticleBrooksville, Florida is 50 miles north of Tampa and just a few miles east of Weeki Wachee Springs on State Road 50. Its population is about 9,000.Like many Florida cities, Brooksville has been dwarfed by a huge next do...
Brooksville, Florida Things To Do, Lodging, Dining, & Real Estate At End Of Article
Brooksville, Florida is 50 miles north of Tampa and just a few miles east of Weeki Wachee Springs on State Road 50. Its population is about 9,000.
Like many Florida cities, Brooksville has been dwarfed by a huge next door development that created many thousands of new homes.
Its neighbor to the west, Spring Hill, now has a population of 111,076. Brooksville is more than 100 years older than Spring Hill and less than 1/10th the size.
There were early Native Americans in the area when Hernando deSoto came by in the 1500s.
Chocochattee Town, near Brooksville, was the de facto seat of government for the Seminole nation for almost 70 years going back to 1767.
Fort DeSoto was built on the north side of what is now Brooksville during the Seminole Wars in the 1840s.
There was no well water available at the fort because of the underlying limestone formation, so the fort moved to an area with freshwater springs that were on the site of the future Brooksville.
The fort became a regular stop on the stage coach line that ran from Palatka to Tampa.
Settlers began arriving in the late 1840s and created two new communities, Pierceville and Melendez.
These communities merged in 1856 and became known as Brooksville, named for Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina.
The history of Preston Brooks that inspired the town's name does not fit with its peaceful demeanor of today.
Lovely ancient oaks line the brick streets. Grand well maintained southern mansions stand proudly in quiet neighborhoods.
It is within a long commuter's drive of Tampa and an ever increasing number of Tampa workers are making the trip, especially since the completion of the Suncoast Parkway, a toll road.
Although a medium sized town, it is easy to get lost in Brooksville because of the many state and federal highways that meander through town in a most unusual way.
For example, US-41 comes into town from the southwest, then turns east through town before going north again.
US-98 comes in from the southeast, then turns west before going north again.
State Road 50 bypasses the town on its south side, but State Road 50A goes directly through town.
All of these highway confluences result in a series of one way streets that locals have no problems with but that confuse tourists.
The weather worn statue of a confederate soldier still stands guard in front of the Hernando County courthouse in downtown Brooksville.
The downtown area has not been gentrified like in so many Florida towns.
It is a collection of interesting old buildings and quite a few that have seen better days.
It's a real town where people live, work, play and enjoy the many good restaurants in the area.
Unlike most of table-flat Florida, Brooksville and Hernando County have many rolling hills. Some of them are among the highest elevations in Florida.
One of the most interesting attractions in Brooksville is , known locally also as Mount Airy, Snow Hill or just The Hill.
This is a historic site that was originally the plantation of Colonel Byrd Pearson from South Carolina who named his sprawling estate "Mount Airy".
The house was partially completed before Florida became a state. The property has had other uses and names over the years.
Another place that's fun to visit in Brooksville is the Hernando Heritage Museum at 601 Museum Court. It is located within the historic May-Stringer House.
The house is on the National Register of Historic Places, and features many artifacts and Victorian era rooms.
MAIN STREET EATERY
101 North Main Street Brooksville, Florida Tel 352-799-2789
The Main Street Eatery has been serving homemade lunch, and only lunch, since it was opened in 1989 by Mr. and Mrs. Bill Bell.
It is very popular with the locals who work in the nearby shops and government buildings, but it has also been discovered by tourists.
The paper table mats have ads for many of the downtown Brooksville businesses, so it is a good place to get oriented.
The Eatery has a delicious selection of sandwiches, salads, soups and desserts. Their offerings range from healthy to decadent.
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park - 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606 - Watch live mermaid shows and take a scenic boat ride on the crystal clear waters of the Weeki Wachee River.
Florida Mermaid Trail - Multiple locations throughout Brooksville - Follow the trail of whimsical mermaid sculptures throughout the city and take Instagram-worthy photos.
Chinsegut Hill Retreat and Conference Center - 22495 Chinsegut Hill Rd, Brooksville, FL 34601 - Explore the historic mansion, walk the nature trails, and enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Tom Varn Park - 306 Darby Ln, Brooksville, FL 34601 - Play a game of disc golf, enjoy a picnic, or take a walk along the scenic nature trails at this beautiful park.
Hernando County Fairgrounds - 6436 Broad St, Brooksville, FL 34601 - Attend a variety of events throughout the year, including the annual Hernando County Fair and rodeos.
Boyett's Citrus Attraction - 4355 Spring Lake Hwy, Brooksville, FL 34601 - Learn about Florida's citrus industry and enjoy fresh-squeezed juice and homemade ice cream.
Florida Cracker Trading Company - 966 E Jefferson St, Brooksville, FL 34601 - Browse through a unique collection of gifts, antiques, and Florida-inspired merchandise at this charming shop.
Brooksville Country Club - 23446 Links Dr, Brooksville, FL 34601 - Tee off at this beautiful golf course surrounded by oak trees, wildlife, and scenic views.
Croom Motorcycle Area - 6420 La Rose Rd, Brooksville, FL 34602 - Ride your dirt bike or ATV through miles of trails and jumps at this popular off-road destination.
The Strong Tower Vineyard & Winery - 17810 Forge Dr, Spring Hill, FL 34610 - Sip on locally-made wines and enjoy the peaceful countryside at this family-owned winery.
Carriage Rides in Brooksville
Megan Husseyhttps://www.hernandosun.com/2023/12/15/carriage-rides-in-brooksville/
Nothing captures the true spirit of the Yuletide holiday better than a good old-fashioned carriage ride. At the upcoming Brooksville Country Christmas, a fancy fleet of classically designed horse-drawn carriages will offer vibrant rides that whisk passengers off on a historic Brooksville tour while entertaining guests with live music, vendors, and fun.Brooksville Country Christmas, sponsored by Country Depot, PiK’d, and 1946, will be celebrated on December 14th, 16th, 22nd and 23rd from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.“Join u...
Nothing captures the true spirit of the Yuletide holiday better than a good old-fashioned carriage ride. At the upcoming Brooksville Country Christmas, a fancy fleet of classically designed horse-drawn carriages will offer vibrant rides that whisk passengers off on a historic Brooksville tour while entertaining guests with live music, vendors, and fun.
Brooksville Country Christmas, sponsored by Country Depot, PiK’d, and 1946, will be celebrated on December 14th, 16th, 22nd and 23rd from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.
“Join us for a heartwarming holiday adventure as we bring the magic of Christmas to the historic streets of Brooksville,” reads an event notice. “Embark on our captivating carriage rides and immerse yourself in the festive ambiance of the season.”
Country Depot has now assumed ownership of the holiday carriage ride program, which now has a new route that recalls the days of the old. This year, organizers offer two carriage options: a four-seat princess carriage and a ten-seat country wagon. Tickets are priced at $20 each for a 15-minute ride through historic downtown; in addition, all four seats in the Princess carriage can be reserved for $80. Reservations will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, a scaled-down kids’ carriage will be available for the younger set, whose own landmarks will include meetings with adorable, totally pet-able ponies and possible visits with costumed characters.
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“We want to bring some holiday cheer to the community,” said John Loetscher, owner of Country Depot. “By way of a good old-fashioned carriage ride. This is a place to create Christmas memories.”
The carriage rides will whisk riders away on a nostalgic trip down South Brooksville Avenue. “They will see the historic houses, the water tower, the train station, and the landmarks of historic Brooksville,” said Loetscher.
The carriages include a pristine ivory-hued princess carriage adorned with ornamental ribbons and other festive decorations.
Live music will include performances by Eddie McConnell on Dec. 22 and the First Presbyterian Church Choir on Dec. 16.
“We’ll have some very talented performers there to entertain us and a lot of great vendors,” said Loetscher.
To book a carriage ride, visit The Country Depot at 36 N. Broad Street in historic downtown Brooksville during their hours of operation: Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both cash and credit/debit card payments will be accepted.
Feel free to reach out to John at The Country Depot at (813) 297-6276.
Spread the word and make this holiday season truly memorable by crafting cherished moments with your loved ones.
Livery Stable: Reviving “The Focal Point” of Brooksville
Austyn Szempruchhttps://www.hernandosun.com/2023/08/20/livery-stable-reviving-the-focal-point-of-brooksville/
Thought to have been constructed in the 1880s, County Commissioner and businessman Steve Champion calls the Livery Stable “the drive-through of the 1800s,” where people could rent horses and carriages and buy supplies. Made of heart pine and cypress, the building is located down the hill from the courthouse at 158 South Main Street. Though the exact building date remains a mystery due to records being destroyed when the courthouse burned down, what is known about the stable is that the property has changed hands multiple times ov...
Thought to have been constructed in the 1880s, County Commissioner and businessman Steve Champion calls the Livery Stable “the drive-through of the 1800s,” where people could rent horses and carriages and buy supplies. Made of heart pine and cypress, the building is located down the hill from the courthouse at 158 South Main Street. Though the exact building date remains a mystery due to records being destroyed when the courthouse burned down, what is known about the stable is that the property has changed hands multiple times over the century and a half since its founding.
Another perspective on the construction of the building was provided to the University of North Florida Digital Commons around 2010 – 2015 via photographer George Lansing Taylor, Jr., who obtained a statement from Dennis Rhodes, Curator of the Hernando Historical Association, and Ron Daniel, President of the Hernando Historical Museum Association. Rhodes and Daniel comment, “This building was constructed … by the Emerson Brothers: John, Charles, and Tom. They were in the construction business. It was originally a livery stable. The next owner was O.C. Dick who ran the lumber business until retirement around 1933. His high school helper was Gene Snow to whom Mr. Dick sold the business. Gene Snow ran it by himself for six days a week from the 1940s until around 1996. Mr Snow’s three daughters inherited it and they sold it to Mr. Spanos who wanted to run a carriage ride business from this location.”
For much of its history, the stable has served as a lumber yard. One unsung aspect of the building’s history is the fact that it served as a focal point for leaders to discuss the goings-on in Brooksville and negotiate policies while taking a break at the stable. Mayor Blake Bell has close ties with the Livery Stable, as his uncle and aunt, Gene and Ernestine Snow, oversaw the stable in its lumber yard phase.
“I just think it is really cool that while it was a lumber yard, a lot of the major business and political decisions of the time were made in that lumber yard while important leaders sat around eating donuts and drinking coffee on a Saturday,” Mayor Bell said. “You look at the lumber yard, and you might not know that, but it is really where a lot of the folks, important decision-makers in the city of Brooksville, would convene… for almost a six-decade period of time.”
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Brooksville Lumber, which the Snows operated out of the former stable, remained in business until Mayor Bell’s uncle passed away in 1996. Upon his passing, the property bounced between owners until Mr. Champion managed to purchase the rights to it. According to the commissioner, the stable is the oldest commercial building in Hernando County. According to the Brooksville Main Street website, it is also believed to be one of the only livery stables still standing in Florida. Now, the stable-turned-lumber yard has a new lease on life. On Champion’s watch, he hopes to renovate the decrepit yet historic location into a country-style restaurant. With a tentative plan to rename the venue The Stable, he hopes to utilize the building’s rich past to highlight the history of Brooksville.
While he aims to make the restaurant a reality, he emphasizes that it is “a big if” whether they will be able to pull it off. If that becomes unfeasible, the county commissioner sees it as a potential wedding venue, among other possibilities. With a maximum capacity of 200 people, the property is large enough to accommodate plenty of options. Issues such as a lack of parking space and potential fire code violations may keep the building from becoming an eatery, but Champion plans to renovate the space regardless.
Having begun this herculean task roughly three months ago, Mr. Champion projects a completion date of one to two years. His crew is still awaiting engineering to complete the electrical, air conditioning, and insulation, among other tasks; there is an arduous road ahead before the former lumber yard can open its doors. Once it is restored, the space could be used for almost any purpose since it is just “an empty shell.” Even though the upper loft area will only be usable for storage, there will still be 6,100 square feet of usable space.
The project recently received grant funding of $20,000 for the structure’s roof replacement from the City of Brooksville’s Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) Property Improvement Matching Grant Program. It was among eight other grant recipients within the CRA between May 2022 and July 2023. According to Charlene Kuhn, the City’s Public Information Officer, the Property Improvement Matching Grant Program provides funding for a one-to-one dollar match, with a maximum grant of $20,000.00 awarded to any property for eligible approved projects. The award of grant funds is made following the completion and final inspection of the improvement project. The Executive Review Committee makes recommendations to the CRA to award funds to applicants for this program. Applicants need to refer to the 2022 Grant Application Guidelines prior to applying. All properties located in the Brooksville CRA district are eligible for this improvement matching grant program. The area includes properties that front portions of Main Street, Liberty Street, Broad Street, Jefferson Street, Fort Dade Avenue, and Saxon Avenue.
The project is a point of pride for Champion, whose family history stretches back generations in the county. “I’m fifth generation from this area,” Champion said. “My family came here in 1930. It’s more of a legacy thing for me, too. I want to make sure that we are restoring buildings like this… Stuff like this is irreplaceable. If I have the means to do it, I want to do it to help the area.”
Natalie Kahler, as Brooksville Main Street Executive Director, searches for properties that can be used for public spaces and expanding retail in downtown Brooksville. Kahler helped bring the property to various buyers’ attention before Champion purchased the land from the previous owner, who had decided not to get involved in a project of that magnitude.
“Steve was really perfect for that, and he was willing to spend the money he needed to keep it historic, which is important… We have to be careful that we don’t get people that are just looking for something cheap and are going to bulldoze it,” Kahler said.
Brooksville Main Street is a nonprofit organization and a Main Street America™ Accredited program that strives to create a vibrant downtown Brooksville, both economically and culturally.
Champion laments the absence of landmarks and the decline of popular gathering spots like the Hilltop, which has stood empty for several years now, but he thinks The Stable can fulfill a similar role when it is complete. According to Champion, people are excited about it. He told the Sun that he is encouraged by the level of enthusiasm that he has seen on his Facebook page. The commissioner also wants to make it clear that, as the property is in Brooksville, he has no jurisdiction or undue influence over the situation; he is simply renovating the Livery Stable out of a passion for the area. Fortunately for the town, Champion appears well-suited to the task of rejuvenating such a historic linchpin of Brooksville.
For more information on Brooksville’s CRA grant program, please contact the Community Development Department at (352) 540-3810.