DES MOINES, Iowa — A comedy club will be taking over the Old Spaghetti Works space on Court Avenue.

In March 2023 the Old Spaghetti Works suddenly shuttered its doors after serving the Des Moines community for over 40 years. The site of the old restaurant has sat vacant ever since.

Attempts have been made to turn the historic building into a bar, specifically by Des Moines businessman Larry Smithson. The Downtown Neighborhood Association of Des Moines struck down his proposal as there were concerns about what another bar in the district could bring.

At a Zoning Board of Adjustments meeting Wednesday evening the board approved Teehee’s request to take over the space.

The comedy club said it wants to put in two performance spaces as well as a small bar. Owners say it fulfills the neighborhood’s wish for more business variety along Court Ave.

While the comedy club received a lot of support, it also received some opposition. Smithson said at the meeting that Teehee’s was also just another bar and he claimed that he received more scrutiny for his bar proposal than Teehee’s has.

However, the owners of Teehee’s say that the comedy club will be more than just a bar. Owners say that ticket sales from potentially having multiple shows a night as well as food sales should account for over half of the business’ revenue.

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