Bruce Zoldan hosts a VIP party

Just as Bruce Zoldan and his VIP's began to leave Overture restaurant, snow began to fall.

Welcome to Youngstown.

Zoldan, chief executive officer of B.J. Alan Co., had a private party at the downtown restaurant for his guests. Guests included current NFL stars as well as local and statewide icons.

“We have guests tonight in town that are used to going down to Miami Beach or Tampa for a Super Bowl or some large city to celebrate a large sporting event, and here we have these people in Youngstown, Ohio,” Zoldan said. ‘And they’re impressed with the way the city looks, and the way the city has come out for Kelly Pavlik ... I think, for our community, it’s something to build upon. I’m very proud of it."

Zoldan added that having an icon like Kelly Pavlik represent his home city is a special feeling.

“I grew up in Youngstown, I went to Youngstown State University and I started my business selling out of the trunk of my car. And that is what Youngstown is all about. It’s starting with nothing and building. That’s the story of Kelly Pavlik and that’s the story of Youngstown.”

Former Youngstown State University quarterback Jared Zwick attended the party. Zwick played for the Penguins under former head coach and current Ohio State coach Jim Tressel from 1996-2000. He said Kelly gives the Mahoning Valley a sense of pride.

“This city has been through a lot of ups and downs over the past several decades with the decline in the steel mills and industries like that ... This is something that is unprecedented. Kelly Pavlik has just been a great ambassador to the city.”

Former Ohio State and current Baltimore Ravens quarterback Troy Smith was with the party, as were a pair of offensive linemen for the Cleveland Browns: Ryan Tucker, who plays tackle and Hank Fraley, who plays center.