GRAMERCY — In the window of a vacant former bar on Third Avenue near East 20th Street, a hand-written sign promises that the empty space is "the future home of something funny!"
That humorous neighborhood addition is a planned comedy club to be known as The Stand.
The proprietors of the new venue are brothers Paul and Cris Italia, along with their business partners David Kimowitz and Patrick Milligan.
The group has a production and talent management business called Cringe Humor, which champions a raw, honest style of comedy. This will be their first restaurant/comedy club, Chris Italia, 33, said.
"It’s a great location for us," said Italia. "We really believe that the neighborhood will embrace us."
The idea of replacing what was once Truffle, a bar with a basement nightclub, with a comedy club was first floated back in October.
In an informal presentation before the Community Board 6 business affairs and street activities committee — the group that reviews liquor license requests — Paul Italia, 36, indicated the group's intentions for the space but said he wanted to gauge community reaction to the idea before officially moving forward.
Resident responses have been mixed, Italia said, with many locals harboring lingering apprehension based on the space’s previous life as a noisy nightclub.
"There was a lot of concern, and we understand those concerns," Italia said. "We want to reach out the community as much as possible."
The community board ultimately supported the club's request for a liquor license when they came back to the committee a few weeks later.
The owners agreed to a 2 a.m. closing time, and they said the capacity of the 'club portion' would be only about 60 to 80 people. The space will also feature a holding area so that patrons won't line up on the sidewalk outside in advance of a show.
The venue will house a comfort food restaurant on the street level, which will be open for lunch and dinner, Italia said. Seth Levine — the force behind the menu at Wine & Roses on the Upper West Side and Sons of Essex on the Lower East — has been tapped to serve as their executive chef.
Italia said that the space requires a substantial amount of construction, which should begin in mid-January. They expect to open in late February or early March.
"This is all about good food and comedy," Italia said. "We’re really excited about it."
