While this year has already proved challenging for many businesses, Chatham Dental Center is moving forward with plans for a relocation and major expansion.
“I felt like it was terrible timing; we were right in the middle of renovations when (the COVID-19 shutdowns) happened,” said owner Dr. Timothy Lonergan of his decision to purchase a nearby property. “Nobody buys a building at age 62 and decides to expand, but why would I play by the rule book?”
Lonergan opened a general dentistry practice for families in 1985 and is currently located at 120 N. Main St. in Chatham. Earlier this year, he purchased a nearby building at 345 N. Main St. from Dr. John Rollet and Dr. James Crabtree, who had operated Chatham Family Practice for many years. After the doctors and their support staff joined HSHS Medical Group, the practice moved to a different facility in 2018.
“I had been talking about this building with the doctors for a while, but it was bigger than what I thought I needed,” said Lonergan. “It’s going to more than double our square footage and treatment rooms and quadruple our parking.”
Lonergan currently has a staff of 10 but said a “trial partner” just started this week. “We’re hoping she will join our staff,” he said of Dr. Sana Khan, who relocated from Ohio to join the practice.
John Shafer and Associates is the architect and Michael von Behren Builder is the general contractor for the renovation work at the new office.
