Comedy and Magic in Hermosa Beach greenlighted to reopen
Jay Leno and Mike Lacey, in 2005, in the Comedy Club’s green room, which Lacey assured commissioners will not be disturbed during the remodel. Photo by Kevin Cody
by Kevin Cody
Downtown Hermosa Beach landmark Comedy and Magic Club received planning commission approval Tuesday evening to increase its seating from 250 to 350, clearing the way for the club to reopen. Owner Mike Lacey told the commission he needed the additional 100 seats to be financially competitive against such clubs as the Laugh Factory in Long Beach, and the Improve Clubs in Irvine, Brea, and Ontario, which have 600 seats.
Comedy and Magic was allowed 350 seats when it opened in 1978. But the city reduced its seating, to as low as 188 in the early 2000s. The club was allowed 250 seats when it closed in March 2000, because of the pandemic
Lacey said the club was on precarious financial footing during the two decades that followed the loss in seating.
The planning commission voted unanimously to approve the 100 new seats, following similarly unanimous support from over 50 residents, and neighboring business owners, who addressed the commission on Zoom, or submitted emails.
Journey Gunderson, executive director of the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York, was the first member of the public to address the commission at its Tuesday meeting.The National Comedy Center was designated by Congress in 2019 as the United States’ official cultural institution and museum dedicated to comedy.
“Comedy and Magic Club’s importance goes beyond Hermosa Beach,” she said. “It is legendary for its role in developing the art form. It’s important from a cultural perspective to preserve the club and keep it as an incubator of comedy.
“As a producer of comedy shows, I can tell you that seating capacity is the biggest determining factor in whether or not an artist can be booked,” she said.
John Wee, one half of the comedy juggling team Passing Zone, told the commission it is heartbreaking to see the club closed.
“As a 30-year Comedy and Magic Club performer, and a 25-year Hermosa Beach resident, I look forward to being back on its stage, and in its audience,” Wee said.
BJ Wickett, the club’s architect, said the additional seating could be accommodated by reducing the size of the club’s office, and enclosing a 147 sq. ft. recess at the north end of the club, facing Hermosa Avenue.
Lacey assured the commissioners that the remodel would not disturb the club’s historic green room, where Rosanne Barr scratched out Jerry Seinfeld’s autograph, and then made an uncharacteristic apology when called out about it on “The Tonight Show” by host Jimmy Fallon (one of late night show’s six hosts to have performed at Comedy and Magic).
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the commission agreed to Lacey’s request that the club be allowed to remain open until 2 a.m., as it had been throughout its four decades.
The city staff recommended the club close at 1 a.m.
“The police department has no concerns about Mr. Lacy’s ability to manage his business. He has shown himself to be the type of business owner we want. Based on the information I have, I’ve not seen calls for service from his business.
“But we have several locations downtown that close between 1:45 and 2 a.m. Officers downtown are often challenged by the levels of intoxication and fights. Our concern is adding another 350 people into that mix.”
“I don’t want to be punished because of problems I haven’t caused,” Lacey responded. “I can’t recall one time the police were called to my business. In 43 years, I’ve had zero violations.”
(Lacey neglected to mention he did receive one citation, on a cold winter evening for serving hot chocolate to customers waiting on the sidewalk for the doors to open.)
Commissioner Stephen Izant pointed out that Comedy and Magic has a unique, three drink maximum, making it unlikely its customers would present a problem for police
Commissioner Rob Saemann recalled going to the Comedy Store in Hollywood during his youth, and making a point of attending the late show, in hopes that an unannounced star would perform at the end of the evening.
“I appreciate the chief’s concern, but it’s grossly unfair to lump Comedy and Magic in with the bars. Their patrons are a different group from what you see on Pier Plaza,” Saemann said.
Commissioner Pete Hoffman expressed a similar sentiment
“If another restaurant or bar asked for longer hours and more capacity, we’d say no. But we’re willing to overlook the issues being raised because it’s Comedy and Magic and Mike Lacey. The potential problems are resolved by the fact that a new owner with a new use would have to come back for a new conditional use permit.”
Prior to the meeting, Lacey said he plans to reopen the club with its current 250 seat limit, and not wait for the club to be remodeled to accommodate the additional 100 seats. ER