Aurora Comedy Shrine’s expansion plan in motion

Talk of The Comedy Shrine coming to Aurora turned everyone into a jokester at Tuesday’s special committee meeting.

Aldermen took their first look at an ordinance that would create a new type of liquor license allowing the improv comedy venue to sell alcoholic beverages at a full bar.

They also heard from Comedy Shrine owner Dave Sinker about how he plans to grow his business once it opens at 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive on the city’s far east side.

“We got our foot in Aurora’s door and now we want to stay there,” Sinker said.

His idea that drew the most wisecracks from aldermen and even Mayor Tom Weisner: adding comedy shows for different demographics, including a senior show.

“The senior show — that makes you laugh, but not too hard?” Weisner said.

“Do the 60-somethings get rowdy?” asked alderman John S. “Whitey” Peters.

Sinker said he’s learned audiences of any age enjoy a good laugh.

“Comedy just brings everyone together,” Sinker said. “It’s a wide demographic.”

At his previous downtown Naperville location, Sinker said his shows drew more than 15,000 people in 2010. He said that number may double with the increase in space and convenient parking at the Aurora location.

“We’ll have two theaters instead of just one so we can also do stand-up comedy and plays as well as our improv,” Sinker said.

The new building is 7,500 square feet, compared the old building’s 4,200 square feet. It’s also on the first floor, which Alderman Rick Mervine said should be better for customers and the business.

Sinker said he hopes to open his facility on a comedically appropriate date — April 1 — after construction to create both stages and areas for his comedy memorabilia collection and classes in improvisation and comedy writing.

His new liquor license — which will cost $1,815 a year — should will be all set weeks before then, as aldermen are likely to approve it at Tuesday’s city council meeting.