Easton hosts Main Street conference; visitors weigh in on downtown atmosphere

On Tuesday and Wednesday, conference attendees walked the downtown streets, dined in restaurants and joined tours with local officials and leaders to learn more about Easton.

Lisa Challenger, executive director of the Beach to Bay Heritage Area encompassing Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties, said Easton’s gardening and plants caught her eye.

“Somebody has really been paying attention and giving all of that lots of love,” Challenger said. “No trash. Your first impression is just, ‘Wow, it is so pretty.’”

Kara Norman, executive director of the Downtown Frederick Partnership, felt similarly. She said Easton’s streetscapes are “lovely” and the “subtle” things next to sidewalks and buildings really make a difference.

Carol Gilbert, an assistant secretary at the Department of Housing and Community Development, touched on the historic aspect of downtown Easton.

“The level of authenticity of the core downtown,” Gilbert said. “There’s really beautiful architecture.”

On Tuesday, local officials and leaders led tours to shed light on what makes Easton unique, including The Hill district, the Talbot Historical Society and an overview of housing revitalization by Ross Benincasa, senior vice president of community development for the nonprofit developer Fello.

Town Planning and Zoning Director Miguel Salinas, meanwhile, led attendees on a tour of Easton’s East End area, explaining land use opportunities and challenges the town faces.

Those who toured Easton largely had positive words. Challenger did note small area of dissatisfaction: “I wished I didn’t have to park so far away.” She said she parked near the library and walked to the Avalon Theatre. But it’s not necessarily a negative, she added.

“I think when there’s a lack of parking or not enough, it’s probably a good sign,” Challenger said. “It’s so busy.”

State officials stop by

During the two days, multiple high-level officials in Gov. Wes Moore’s administration spoke to attendees, including Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller (D) and Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day, the latter of whom has expressed interest in running as a Democrat for the 1st Congressional District seat currently held by Rep. Andy Harris (R).

Miller recalled her first trip to Easton in 2022, a visit she was nervous for given the governor had to cancel last minute. Many more people showed up than she expected.

“The thing that I learned about Easton that day is never underestimate how much this town shows up for others,” Miller said in front of more than 100 people inside the Waterfowl Festival building on Tuesday evening.

Day arrived later Tuesday, joining town and state officials on an evening out at restaurants including Tiger Lily. He hosted a roundtable with his department’s top officials on Wednesday to close out the conference.

Afterward, Day said in an interview that the state made the right choice in selecting Easton for the second annual conference. Last year’s was held in Frederick and next year’s will be in Hagerstown.

Day, the former mayor of Salisbury, said Main Street managers take on difficult jobs in rebuilding and maintaining Main Street designations and downtown areas.

“When I was mayor, we tore up our Main Street,” Day said of Salisbury. “We went under the knife for three-and-a-half years. This can be disruptive work to do transformative placemaking. And even the small stuff, policy-changing, trying to bring events, it’s hard.”

Julia Glanz, deputy secretary of DHCD, said in an interview that the two-day conference was the longest she’d spent in Easton. The restaurants stood out to her, and she said she’s made a mental note to come back after missing out on an “incredible” mushroom soup at Legal Assets.

“It’s been so exciting to see all of the shop owners come together and buy into this event,” Glanz said. “I know that’s how they buy into all their events. … They all understand how to work in unison to create an environment that’s really engaging for residents and visitors alike.”