I run the risk of repeating myself here, as I have already tried to post this. Your story touched me greatly. My memories of Morristown are from my childhood in the 50's and 60's, and early young womanhood, with my first job, dating, etc. Most of my Morristown memories are associated with my mother, who is gone now. I know that if I were to see Morristown as it now, the changes - even though I know about them - would hurt. So I understand where you are coming from. But memories, ultimately, are all we have, and they are lovely and precious.

Thanks, Laura. I am trying to get to a place where I can see Morristown for what it is, a vibrant and beautiful town. But right now all I see is what is gone. And when I go there I feel like someone punched me in the stomach.
I think it would be easier for me to deal with if I could keep it exclusively in my memory. But I think, things like this just take time.
Thank you for reading and for taking the time to post a reply.

I guess I am fortunate in a way, that all these places (Morristown, Mendham, Chester, Madison) exist for me largely in memory. The last time I was in New Jersey, about ten years ago, I was more shocked by how things had stayed the same than by how they had changed, but I had not been through Morristown. How could it be Morristown without Epsteins? I can remember that place in the early fifties, before it had a renovation. And is Cutter's still open, and the waitresses still insulting the patrons?

I do not frequent Cutter's so I cannot comment on their staff. But I can sum up what Morristown feels like without Epsteins...sort of like a really beautifully wrapped present with nothing inside.

Cutters is closed and long gone. Goodbye Shrimp/Chicken in a basket.......

I figured as much. Used to go there with my parents when I was a kid, and later with dates, or with my co-workers at Bell Labs for lunch. But then I date myself by saying Bell Labs, don't I?

Prentiss when did Cutter's close?

Laura did you ever go to the Minuteman? Off the beaten path....but an institution nonetheless.

No, Minuteman is not ringing bells. But I remember a coffee house that existed briefly - The Thirsty Ear. My favorite restaurant from early childhood on was the New York Tea Garden.

I think Morristown is awesome, but to me this essay was a sweet tribute to his grandmother. Of course Morristown isn't as great as it was to the author, because she isn't here anymore.

I did not grow up here, but I have seen some of the changes people are talking about, like Woolworth's closing and so many banks moving in. I still think it is a great place, for a town so small in size (3 miles across), we have great places to walk to right inside of town: Fort Nonsense, Sunset Lake, Foote's Pond, the Traction Line. Empanadas, plenty of places to grab a beer, community gardens bringing people together in formerly vacant lots, a pretty library (now open!) and a friendly bike shop.

Anyhow, thanks for this, your grandmother sounds like she was a person who made Morristown a better place to be.

Actually, I believe the space formerly occupied by Cutters is now George and Martha's American grill. Remember that Cutters was a series of interconnected rooms across the entire base of the building. Although most people ate in the bar area. I don't remember when Cutter's closed, it could be as long as 5 years ago.