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(Des Moines, IA) -- Permits are approved for the transformation of a downtown Des Moines building on Court Avenue. Teehee's Comedy Club is trying to take over the old Spaghetti Works space. They presented their case to the city's Zoning Board of Adjustment Wednesday, with letters of approval from the Downtown Neighborhood Association and other business owners in the area. They all say it would add to what's already there.
Dave Boelman is a co-owner of the club along with AJ Simmons.
"We are hoping that the spill over to the other remaining businesses such as Court Avenue Brewery across the street, Tonic, Stuffed Olive, the sushi bar that's right next door," Boelman says. "We're hoping that those businesses get additional or incremental revenue as a result of us being there."
The club used to operate on the corner of 15th and Walnut Streets downtown. He saw that effect in that location as well.
"We have people who are visiting for work or whatever. They're looking for something to do. They popped into our club and they loved it," Boelman says. "But, they also found The Walnut which was a restaurant down the street. They found Exile kitty corner from us. I mean, all the businesses benefited from us being there."
A point of contention in this space has been that neighbors didn't want another run of the mill bar in the area. Earlier in the year, bar owner Larry Smithson was denied permits to turn the space into one. He spoke against the club's proposal at Wednesday's meeting.
"I'm not against the Teehee's coming into the 310 Court Ave building," Smithson says. "I just want whoever comes in to have to follow the same rules that the variance board gave Larry Smithson, me. I have went through the Teehee's proposal, and I see nothing that makes their proposal better than Larry Smithson's proposal...[Downtown Neighborhood] Association people wanted a place families can go and they did not want a loud bar. Now, we have the Teehee's proposal coming in, and I see the comedy as a crutch to get over the 51% food."
Smithson mentions a key point in the agreement. All alcohol that Teehee's will sell will have to come as an accessory to entertainment. That means 51% of the revenue must come from non-alcohol sales. Boelman says he doesn't think that will be an issue.
"When we're bangin' on all cylinders, we'll have four shows a night," Boelman says. "Two in the small stage and two in the big. All ticketed. So, the likelihood of alcohol sales exceeding ticket sales and food is pretty low."
The project has not asked for any money from the city so far, with Boelman saying he's giving over $1 million out of pocket. The board approved the permits unanimously.