How the Tiny Maryland Town of Easton Grew Into a Culinary Hotbed | Eater DC

"I see Bluepoint as the driving force reshaping downtown Easton: led by eccentric energy tycoon Paul Prager, the group has rapidly recruited local and NYC talent to build a portfolio of restaurants and shops, maintaining nine culinary establishments within one square mile and 13 properties overall, and now owning about half of Easton’s historic downtown (locals sometimes call it “Pragerville”). Prager presents Bluepoint as committed to timeless design and cuisine, investing in staff development (including an annual “Winter Sabbatical” for visiting chefs), bringing in high-profile talent and weekend managers from New York, and repurposing properties like the former Bartlett Pear Inn for employee housing; he also defends pricing as modestly higher quality-driven spending that circulates back into the local economy." - John Besche