By DONNA KENNY KIRWAN

PAWTUCKET — Thanks to a loan program from the city’s Planning and Redevelopment Agency that will help pay for some building code improvements, a new West African restaurant will be opening up downtown by the early fall.

At last month’s meeting, the PRA voted to authorize a $35,000, five-year loan to a Providence woman who who plans to operate a restaurant at 200 Main Street, the site of the former Extreme Donuts.
The PRA offers a commercial loan program to buisness owners for loans of up to $100,000 for any type of code improvement.
PRA Director Michael Cassidy said that restaurant owner, Oluwatoyin Wilcox, currently runs a successful catering operation  on Douglas Avenue in Providence. He said that she plans to keep the catering operation and wants to expand her culinary skills with a restaurant here in the city.
Cassidy said that Wilcox, who plans on signing a five-year lease with the building owners, was told by the Fire Marshall that she is in need of approximately $35,000 worth of duct work and other improvements to meet the necessary building codes.
Wilcox, originally from Nigeria, said the restaurant will feature a menu of both West African native dishes and American cuisine.
Called the Toyin Restaurant, after her name, she said the eatery will be able to seat about 50 people and will also have an area for take-out. Some parking is available behind the building, and she is also planning on attracting downtown foot traffic.

Wilcox said she plans on being open for lunch and dinner, and might add a breakfast menu at a later date. She said she is looking forward to her new business venture in Pawtucket and plans to open as soon as the code improvements have been completed, which she estimates will be by late September or early October.
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