In a surprising revelation at a Wednesday afternoon luncheon, Mayor Jerry Dyer revealed that standup comedy is likely to return to downtown Fresno.
Movie producer and Laugh Factory partner Joseph Merhi briefly discussed scouting for locations to the audience in attendance at the Grand. The event was put on by the Maddy Institute’s Mark Keppler and also featured Elliot Balch – President of the Downtown Fresno Partnership.
While the focus of the speaking engagement was to inform the public about the $300+ million being poured into downtown Fresno revitalization and infrastructure, it was the possibility of a new comedy club that turned a lot of heads.
It’s been nearly 20 years since KMJ’s own Ray Appleton sold off his downtown comedy club Screwballs, which is now occupied by chicken wing restaurant Kocky’s. Since then, the comedy scene in Fresno has been hit and miss. Really more miss than hit.
Daniel Merhi, son of Laugh Factory partner Joseph Merhi, has been a part of the scouting expedition in downtown Fresno. He told KMJ “We are very much set on coming to Fresno. Once the lease is signed, we’ll be open in 9 months to a year from now”.
While no exact timetable is set, Merhi says he expects the Laugh Factory to sign a deal in the next week or two.
Ray Appleton reacts to the news here:
The Laugh Factory currently has locations in Hollywood, Long Beach, Covina, San Diego, Chicago, Reno, and Las Vegas inside of the new Tropicana.
