Podiatrist Nathan Sabin plans to keep patients on their toes for some time to come.
That’s according to his assistant, who said Dr. Sabin wants everyone to know he will continue his Morristown practice for as long as two years even if he sells his longtime office at 37-39 South St. to the Walsh family for a bar/restaurant.
“Either way, whether he sells it or not, he’s not going to just pack up and leave,” said Sue Bennett, who has worked for Sabin for the last 30 of his 52 years in private practice.
Brothers Billy and Brian Walsh have a contract to purchase Sabin’s building, contingent on the town approving their transfer of a liquor license to that location. But their proposal has met opposition from neighbors, and the town council has held three hearings so far this year.
When the contract expired last month, Sabin granted the Walshes’ an extension, Bennett said.
The deal would allow Sabin, who turns 80 this year, to wind down his practice gradually, as a courtesy to his patients and to tenants in an upstairs apartment and at the Sage salon, Bennett said.
An attorney for the Walshes has described this as a $5 million project, initially dubbed “The Backyard.” Plans called for a large outdoor dining area and bar behind the building.
When neighbors raised red flags about noise similar to the Homestead, another nearby Walsh bar, plans were revised to place the establishment in the back, and move outdoor activities to the front yard, facing South Street.
Proposed revisions include a retractable roof.
If the license transfer gets the green light, the application is expected to proceed to the zoning board. Potential issues are whether it violates bans of rooftop dining and operating a bar within 200 feet of a church.
If approved, this would become the sixth liquor-serving business owned by Walsh family members within the 2.8-square mile town.
Sabin’s practice has been at its present site for his entire career, except for a very brief early stint on Washington Street, Bennett said.
A graduate of Temple University and its College of Podiatric Medicine, Sabin is board certified in foot surgery and is past president of the State Podiatric Association.
He and Brian Walsh share at least one thing in common: Morristown Medical Center.
Sabin founded and chaired the Podiatry Department at what then was known as Morristown Memorial Hospital, states his website. Walsh is a doctor in the medical center’s Emergency Department.
“violates bans of rooftop dining” – it is so ridiculous that this was implemented. What a complete handcuffing of awesome projects by a few council members who are completely out of touch. Morristown needs some cool rooftop spaces. How do we get these clowns out of these positions?
It can be done respectfully with time allotments and some planning – even the ones who live in the middle of downtown. There is 0 reason Iron Bar rooftop was denied as it was scheduled to close by 10pm during week, and 11pm on weekends with no loud music.
This handcuffing of great ideas will keep leading to staleness and disinterest when talking about Morristown competing for being the best place in NJ to live work and play in. We need to keep innovating and creating new unique spaces.