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Baja’s Utility Work Closes Part of Hopkins Hill Road Oct. 8-9

[CREDIT: CPD] Coventry Police warn motorists will find Hopkins Hill Road closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

[CREDIT: CPD] Coventry Police warn motorists will find Hopkins Hill Road closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The closure will allow utilities to be installed for a new Baja's restaurant at the corner of Hopkins Hill Road and Tiogue Ave.
[CREDIT: CPD] Coventry Police warn motorists will find Hopkins Hill Road closed Tuesday and Wednesday. The closure will allow utilities to be installed for a new Baja’s restaurant at the corner of Hopkins Hill Road and Tiogue Ave.
COVENTRY, RI — Coventry Police announced Monday that motorists should plan to find Hopkins Hill Road closed between 6 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tuesday  and Wednesday as utilities are installed for Baja’s at Tiogue Avenue.
 Hopkins Hill Road will be closed to traffic between Tiogue Avenue and Morris St., Coventry Police reported. According to police, the road will be closed to allow utility work for the new Baja’s Mexican restaurant under construction at the corner of Hopkins Hill Road and Tiogue Avenue, at 866 Tiogue Ave.
“A traffic detour will be in place on Morris Street and Lionel Avenue to allow traffic to bypass the road closure. Seeking an alternate route is encouraged,” the CPD announced on their Facebook Page.
The Coventry location  will be the business’s 11th in the state. There are a total of 16 locations for the chain in RI, CT and MA. The new store  was part of the vision of the late founder David Boutros,  who died last week, to expand the RI-based restaurant chain to 20 stores.
The chain announced Boutros’ passing Sept. 30 on Facebook, and closed its restaurants Oct. 3 in mourning for the founder.  “We will reopen Oct. 4th  and continue serving our customers in the manner he  would have wanted us to,” the business wrote.

Coventry Baja’s part of late founder’s expansion goal

Bahij Ibrahim “David” Boutros, 57 a South Kingstown native, according to his obituary, died at home Sept. 28 following a long battle with a terminal illness. Boutros, born in Al-Hasakah, Syria and raised in Beirut Lebanon, immigrated  to the U.S. when he was 16.

“All his dreams and hard work came to life in creating International Pockets Cafe and then Bajas Restaurants in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. His passion for food and excellence opened the path for him to become a successful restauranteur. He has always traveled back to his homeland to visit family and friends. America gave him his heart and the home he needed to become who he was destined to be,” his obituary reads.

“David’s hard work and dedication helped him grow his restaurant business from one location to over 16 successful spots. Each Baja restaurant reflects its commitment to quality and innovation,” according to the restaurant’s Facebook account.

“In his memory, David’s family and team are determined to continue his dream of reaching 20 Baja locations. They are working together to carry on his vision with the same passion he had,” the restaurant shared on Facebook, “David’s story shows the power of passion and perseverance. His legacy will continue to inspire those who dare to dream big and work hard. Let us remember David for his entrepreneurial spirit, kindness, and joy. His memory will always be cherished, and his legacy will live on through the businesses he built with love and dedication.”

Rob Borkowski
Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

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