A mix. Urban, suburban. Houses and apartments. Downtown and the neighborhood.
Despite a boom in recent years on new businesses, new condos and new opportunities for nightlife, Morristown arguably remains more a suburban town with a heavy urban component than its most oft-cited comparison, Hoboken.
For better or worse, "The Mile Square City" has over the years become one of the top nightlife alternatives to New York City in North Jersey. Despite only being a square mile in size, it's packed with bars, restaurants—and people.
Some, however, have decided to stay closer to home, or have made a conscious decision to move to this area. As this region's top destination for nightlife, some have even begun to (accurately or not) refer to Morristown as "Hoboken West."
But, the distinction is not always made lovingly.
On Wednesday, DeHart Street resident Ravitte Ginsburg spoke before Town Council at an Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission hearing for the Iron Bar liquor license extension. By stating her opposition for its extension into a proposed Mexican restaurant at 9 South St., Ginsburg called on the spectre of The Mile Square City—with its 50,000 residents and thousands upon thousands more that visit there on a daily basis—and all the associated problems therein.
"You will become like Hoboken, I guarantee it," she said. "I like being in an urban area that's also residential. ... It's changing who we are as a town. We need to look at the big picture, not just all the one-offs."
Later, while defending the size of a proposed bar in the future "Gran Cantina," attorney Robert Williams noted, "the younger generation likes to sit at the bar and have food."
Where do you stand on this issue of a changing Morristown? Is Morristown truly becoming "Hoboken West?" And, if so, are you OK with that? Chime in below.
Steve B
10:05 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Morristown is completely different from Hoboken - it's much easier to park in Morristown than it is in Hoboken.
Devin Kuffy
10:24 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012
it most certainly is for better or worse. You could see the writing on the wall going back 15 years
Matt S
12:38 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I think it's a good thing. Hoboken is a very sought after place, and Morristown is becoming the same
Back in Mo'town
1:13 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I think the trouble right now is that Morristown is going through some "growing pains". Once all of these licenses and "restaurants" are straightened out things will calm down. We just have to wait to see the ramifications of the downstairs of the Iron Bar and what insanity it may or may not bring.
Tryclyde
1:20 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Morristown is more contained. The nightlife, and its patrons, stay on South Street, Morris Street, and the Green for the most part. In Hoboken, there's drunk people all over the place on the weekends. As long as the bars are kept in the general South Street area we'll never become Hoboken.
David Steketee
9:07 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
What you just described is pretty much the whole of the business district. It's like saying "Well, Hoboken will be fine so long as they contain it to Washington St."
CSS
4:22 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
I totally want my tax dollars to pay for policing all the drunks.
Hoboken is a total craphole, it's not something to be emulated.
M. Russell
9:35 pm on Thursday, October 25, 2012
Bar/Restaurants, entertainment and nightlife ( besides financial institutions ) are the only sector poised to save downtown Morristown. Morristown has stilled retained the historical significance and the ethnicity of its neighborhoods. It is only the downtown that is changing and needs to continue to survice. 25% of the town is Non Profit properties that contribute nothing to the tax base.
Chesters main street is half vacant as they did not keep pacewith the changing times.
But as soon as they built a strip mall, retail returned.
The changes in downtown Morristown are the future. Its time we all got on board to maximize the potential.
David Steketee
9:20 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
What's even better than all the churches not paying any property tax, is they apply for grants from the county to repair their properties. So, some of our local historic churches are net tax beneficiaries.
Chick
12:16 am on Friday, October 26, 2012
Let's not forget the convenience of the train station and the great history of Morristown too. How much Revolutionary War history does Hoboken have? I think we have plenty of interesting things aside from the bars to keep this town alive and well.
thebiggestern
1:40 pm on Friday, October 26, 2012
if would be nice if this town charged $5 like Hoboken does for cab rides so I don't have to worry about getting run off the road when I am night jogging by some overserved drunk.