Hillsborough welcomed a new bar to its community over the weekend — as it formally started operations in the prominent former home of another popular bar. The Rookery at 115 West Margaret Lane is the latest business venture of B.J. Patel, alongside his wife Smita and other business partners. The group swooped in to lease the space last July, after the Hot Tin Roof permanently closed in April following a decade of business. In a conversation with 97.9 The Hill, Patel described the opportunity to lease the space as good timing for him and his partners — and an opportunity to continue adding to the downtown business scene after seeing spots like Hot Tin Roof shut down and other places weather the COVID-19 pandemic. “To be able to be part of the Hillsborough community… I’ve lived here for the past five or six years now and we just love it,” he said. “The fact that we’re able to invest into our own community, it’s what we’re here for.” Aiming to create “a place to nest” with loved ones, ...