Young businessman opens events center

ALBANY, Ga. — If city of Albany officials are looking for someone to put a positive spin on the city’s efforts to help new businesses get started, they need look no farther than 506 S. Slappey Blvd.

It’s at that address, one that had long sat vacant, that first-time business owner Ricardo Pugh has opened the Young & Restless Events Center, a place for teen parties, family reunions, seminars and other gatherings.

Pugh signed a lease with property owner Bob Brooks on Sept. 1 after attending a city-sponsored business seminar to get some input on business opportunities.

“I’ve been working with kids for a long time, mostly as a volunteer coach, and I wanted to put together some kind of mentoring program,” Pugh said. “(City officials) told me that there were a number of organizations doing that kind of work for free, so we talked about other possibilities.

“I talked with my wife (Botoyah), and we came up with the idea of an events center.”

Pugh, his family — which includes sons Ricardo, 17, Tymond, 11, and Talen, 3 — and other friends pitched in to get the property that was to become the Young & Restless Events Center in shape.

“It was pretty rough, but I’ve been doing construction work for a while and that helped me,” Pugh said. “There are a lot of things we’re planning to do, but that will come later. Right now we’re getting ready for our first events.”

After spreading the word about his plans at the South Slappey establishment, Pugh has already booked an adult birthday party, a Halloween party and a family reunion at the events center.

“I just told the people I know, the families of the kids I’ve coached in Little League, and word’s getting around,” Pugh said. “I just feel blessed right now.”

Pugh claimed a couple of state championship rings as a forward in the Westover High School basketball program. He started playing college ball at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College in Andalusia, Ala., but a personal emergency brought him back to Albany for good. He’s since worked construction with his brother-in-law.

If Pugh needed a sign that his business plan, which he said he put together with the help of city of Albany officials, was doable, he got it when he decided to throw a trial-run party for Ricardo Jr., who is following in his father’s footsteps as a projected starter on this year’s Westover basketball team.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Ricardo Sr. said. “Before the night was over, we’d had 200 people here. I was amazed, overwhelmed at the support. I felt blessed.”

Pugh said he offers full set-up and tight security provided by his team of employees at any event planned at the Young & Restless Events Center.

“If there are kids in here, there will be no adults,” he said. “And there will be no alcohol at any non-adult party. Trust me, I’m looking at every (kids’) party as if my baby’s going to be here. And I’m going to take care of other people’s babies just like I would my own.”

Pugh said rental of the Young & Restless center will vary, depending on the type of party, the time element and other factors. Interested persons can contact him at (229) 809-0664 for more information.

“Everybody wants to say what’s wrong with our community,” the first-time entrepreneur said. “I want to put something positive out there. I hope that young people will look at what we’re doing and see that they — just like I have — can do anything if they follow the law and work hard.”