QUINCY, Mass — It’s not every day you get to meet one of “Time” Magazine’s 100 most influential people, but it happened for the owner of Alba Restaurant in Quincy. This week, Apple CEO, Tim Cook had dinner there.
“I was very excited about meeting the guy, very excited,” says Leo Keka, owner of Alba Restaurant.
Keka has seen many prominent dinner guests drop by during his 21 years in business, but nothing quite compared to meeting billionaire Apple CEO, Tim Cook.
“That was something different, that was something special. Tim walked in the door very happy, classy person,” says Keka.
Cook visited Alba Restaurant while in Massachusetts on a somber note.
“The world right now is upside down so seeing people like that coming to the rescue and going to South Shore and visiting the victims is just a great feeling,” says Keka.
Cook didn’t leave the restaurant without extending that same kindness to Keka’s employees and customers.
“He was really good to our staff, took a picture with a lot of the regulars as well when he walked out and it was a pleasure,” says Keka.
On November 21st, an SUV crashed through the glass of the Apple Store at the Derby Street Shops in Hingham, killing one person and injuring multiple others, and leaving some victims pinned against the wall, officials said.
After the crash at the Apple Store in Hingham left dozens injured, Tim Cook stopped by South Shore Hospital to visit the victims.
The hospital released a statement reading in part, “We are grateful that Tim Cook and Deirdre O’Brien from Apple were able to come to South Shore Hospital on Friday to visit with some of the patients who were injured during last week’s tragedy at the Apple Store in Hingham,” said Allen Smith, President and CEO, South Shore Health in a statement. “We are also so appreciative of the wonderful care our entire team has provided to these patients, from our EMS at the scene of the accident right through to the emergency room, the trauma and critical care teams and all the doctors, nurses and colleagues who have provided care and support in the hospital and at home with our VNA team. The genuine caring and kindness shown by Tim and his team on this visit did so much to lift the spirits of the patients and our colleagues.”
The driver, Bradley Rein, 53 was arrested and has been ordered held on $100,000 cash bail in connection with the chaotic crash.
Kevin Bradley, 65, was working on construction in the store when he was killed in the crash.
New barriers were placed outside the store on Wednesday. It wasn’t clear when the Apple store at the Hingham Derby Street Shops would reopen. The store front remains boarded up.
Apple did provide a statement that says in part, “We are devastated by the shocking events at Apple Derby Street today and the tragic loss of a professional who was onsite supporting recent construction at the store.” Apple spokesperson.
A judge also ordered Rein not to operate a motor vehicle. He is due back in court on Dec. 22.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW