About Us
Downtown Inverness Business Partners
Downtown Inverness Business Partners is a collaborative network of locally owned businesses dedicated to strengthening the heart of Historic Downtown Inverness. Our members work together to create a vibrant, welcoming destination where residents and visitors can shop, dine, explore, and connect. Through coordinated promotions, community events, and shared initiatives, we strive to support small businesses while enhancing the charm, culture, and economic vitality of our downtown district.
We are passionate about showcasing everything that makes Inverness special — from unique shops and restaurants to local services, entertainment, and family-friendly experiences. By partnering with fellow business owners, civic groups, and the community, we help foster a thriving downtown that celebrates local entrepreneurship, encourages tourism, and brings people together year-round.
About the Artist
Lee Middleton
Lee Middleton is a local artist based in Brooksville, Florida, where he has lived since 1967. Having witnessed the state’s remarkable growth and cultural evolution over the decades, Lee draws inspiration from how people adapt to those changes—often capturing it with humor and gentle satire.
A cartoonist at heart, Lee is entirely self-taught and has developed a distinctive, lighthearted style that never fails to bring a smile. He served as a freelance editorial cartoonist for the former Hernando Today newspaper from 2000 until its closure in 2013. Among his many contributions to the local arts scene, Lee illustrated the famous Mermaid Trail map — including our own map — helping showcase the region’s unique charm through his playful artistic lens.
Today, Lee’s artwork is on display and available for purchase at Easy Street Home Decor in Brooksville, and his pieces can be found in numerous local businesses and private collections throughout the area. His work can also be viewed online via Facebook at Lee Middleton Art.
As Lee puts it, “I try to bring out the humor in what individuals perceive as the Florida state of mind.”
