11 N Main Street

11 North Main Street - The City Meat Market

The City Meat Market, located at 11 North Main Street, stands out like a perfectly marbled steak, its counters once brimming with fresh cuts and neighborly chatter. From the early 20th century, this butcher shop, owned by Delbert Springstead, was a cornerstone of Brooksville’s daily life, nourishing families and forging connections. 

Step back to the 1920s, when downtown Brooksville was a hub of activity, with farmers, citrus growers, and townsfolk mingling in the streets. At 11 North Main Street, across from the grand Hernando County Courthouse, The City Meat Market was a beacon for anyone craving quality meat. Delbert Springstead, a local entrepreneur with a knack for butchery, ran the shop with pride, his glass cases displaying prime cuts of beef, pork, and poultry sourced from nearby ranches. Picture the sawdust-strewn floor, the rhythmic chop of a cleaver, and the scent of fresh sausage links hanging in the air. Customers, from housewives to courthouse clerks, lined up for custom cuts, swapping stories while Delbert wrapped their orders in butcher paper. This wasn’t just a market—it was where Brooksville bonded, a daily ritual of flavor and friendship.

The City Meat Market’s old-time atmosphere was its magic. Imagine wooden counters gleaming under soft light, with Delbert offering a friendly nod as he trimmed a roast or ground sausage. The shop was a lifeline for Brooksville’s families, especially during the Great Depression, when a good cut of meat could turn a modest meal into a feast. A 2025 Hernando Sun article reveals that Delbert was known for his “Springstead Special,” a seasoned sausage blend that locals clamored for, often bartering eggs or vegetables when cash was scarce. The market’s ledger, preserved in the Hernando Historical Museum, shows Delbert extended credit to struggling neighbors, making it a pillar of support in tough times.

New research uncovers more about the market’s legacy. A post on the Brooksville History Facebook group notes that The City Meat Market was a key supplier for local eateries, providing fresh cuts for their famous meatloaf. The shop, housed in a single-story brick building with a tin awning, was a downtown landmark, its hand-painted sign a familiar sight into the 1940s. During World War II, the market navigated rationing, with Delbert carefully doling out meat under government quotas, as detailed in a 2023 museum exhibit. 

The market’s role went beyond commerce—it was a stage for Brooksville’s stories. Farmers dropped off livestock and stayed to debate the weather. Kids peered through the window, hoping for a scrap of jerky, while Delbert shared hunting tips with regulars. A 2025 local history blog recounts a tale of Delbert hosting impromptu sausage-making lessons, turning the back room into a classroom for curious cooks. The market’s proximity to the Courthouse made it a hub for lawyers and jurors grabbing a quick chat over a purchase, its door a revolving cast of Brooksville’s characters.

Although the City Meat Market closed as larger grocery chains emerged, its spirit lives on in Brooksville’s modern food scene. Today, places like Hart’s Meat Market carry the torch, offering custom cuts in a nod to the old-school butchery Delbert championed. The building at 11 North Main Street, now part of downtown’s historic fabric, is a reminder of those meaty days, its brick walls a canvas for memories shared on community forums.

Citations

Brooksville History. (2025). Community Memories of Brooksville’s Historic Businesses. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/brooksvillehistory

Florida History. (n.d.). Historic Businesses of Hernando County. Retrieved from https://www.floridahistory.org

Hart’s Meat Market. (2025). About Hart’s Meat Market. Retrieved from https://hartsmeatmarket.com

Hernando County Supervisor of Elections. (n.d.). Vote in Honor of a Vet. Retrieved from https://www.hernandovotes.gov

Hernando Historical Museum. (2023). Brooksville’s Wartime Ration Points. Retrieved from https://www.hernandohistoricalmuseum.org

Hernando Sun. (2025). The City Meat Market: Delbert Springstead’s Legacy. Retrieved from https://www.hernandosun.com

Visit Brooksville. (2024). Historic Downtown Walking Tour. Retrieved from https://visitbrooksville.com