Nobody’s laughing at The Comedy Shrine at Fox Valley Mall in Aurora, as the owner has closed its doors as he struggles with debt after audiences failed to return after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.
“We’re not dead, but we’re on life support,” said owner Dave Sinker, who has run The Comedy Shrine at three locations over the past 17 years. “We’re working on every possible way to get comedy and stand-up up and running again.”
The staff of 20 at the 14,000-square-foot location, including Sinker’s son, Patrick, and 30 actors connected with the business are surprised and saddened by the decision, the Sinkers said.
“I have grown up in this business as a performer since I was 14 and part of the teen troupe,” said Patrick Sinker, 27. “It’s a family business and I’ve worked my way up to be general manager and co-owner. It stinks. Its so frustrating. I don’t see how we wouldn’t have been successful without the wrench thrown at us by COVID.”
Dave Sinker said although they have a loyal fanbase, the effects of the pandemic made things difficult.
“We followed all the state guidelines which meant enforced seating arrangements and masks,” he said. “There was a general hesitancy to attend live venues and our first six months back were a disaster.”
Construction on the mall location began just before the pandemic hit. Originally slated to open in September 2020, it was delayed until May 2021. Sinker says in retrospect it would have been better to wait before opening.
“Spring and summer are bad for indoor venues in Illinois generally,” he said. “We’ve exhausted our funds because of that.”
The Sinkers have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the $200,000 in debt incurred by the business due to back rent and operational costs. They’re also trying to reinvent their business model.
“We’re currently seeking someone to either purchase the business or attract experienced producers and theater companies to lease our space,” Dave Sinker said.
“The Comedy Shrine has been part of the Naperville/Aurora community for 17 years,” he said. “It’s been a joy to bring comedy to this area and we would love to continue. Unfortunately, it would take a large influx of revenue to get us back up on our feet. If other people leased the space, we would still produce some of our shows, but it would need another established producer and improv troupe.”
The Comedy Shrine is also home to a collection of around 10,000 pieces of comedy memorabilia which Sinker has been collecting for the past 23 years.
“Ironically, we’re going to be filmed for “Collector’s Call” on MeTV this weekend,” he said. “But I may have to liquidate it to pay off our debts.”
The Comedy Shrine opened in a 3,600-square-foot space in downtown Naperville in 2005. In 2011 it moved to Plaza Square outside Fox Valley Mall in Aurora, expanding into a 7,400-square-foot facility.
The current site inside the mall includes a stand-up theater for 400 and a separate improv theater for 200, plus a full bar area.
Hilary Decent is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
