If first impressions mean anything, there’s a lot to like about 37-year-old Besho Fareez, the new owner of two Warren institutions; Malik’s Liquors and Balasco’s Pizzeria on Market Street.

This immensely popular native of Egypt took control of the aforementioned businesses recently, adding them to an already successful group that includes Minerva’s Pizza III in Fall River, Fall River House of Pizza, Whittenton House of Pizza in Taunton, Mass., Pyramids Pizza in New Bedford, Mass., and Steve’s Pizza in Portsmouth.

This young and energetic young man (who has also excelled as a young soccer player) wasn’t afraid to take chances when he first arrived in this country as a 22-year-old. Now, he’s firmly entrenched in the Warren community with two businesses which have prospered greatly over the years.

Former owner, Jan Malik, has nothing but praise for this young man.

“He’s young and eager and he obviously has a great rapport with people,” he said. “I wish him the best of luck, and I’m hoping the people here will support him as much as they did when I owned this property.”

As Besho quickly pointed out, there will be no name changing of these hallmark businesses.

“They will remain Malik’s Liquors and Balasco’s Pizzeria,” he said.
He also announced that the hours of operation at the liquor store will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

“The pizzeria will operate 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Saturday; and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.,” he added.

Now that he’s getting more and more in tune with what the people in Warren are like, Besho, who lives in Westport, seems happy the way things are progressing.

“I’m excited to be in this town now and a part of the Warren community,” he explained. “I can understand why Jan did so well here in the 40 years he was in business. There are great people here.”