A legendary comedy club in Greater Akron is up for sale.
The Funny Stop in Cuyahoga Falls announced shortly after the New Year that the club on State Road is for sale.
In the post announcing the sale, the owners say the timeframe to purchase the club is “limited” and they are only seeking serious buyers.
The club’s schedule of comedians currently only lists acts through the end of January.
The club’s owners were not immediately available for comment.
“After over 30 years and due to many unforeseen circumstances, we are very sad to announce that the owners have decided to sell the Funny Stop,” the club’s social media post stated.
The club’s owners say it has been an “uphill challenge” to operate the club since the passing of co-owner Boutros Youssef “Pete” Barakat in 2023.
Nick Kostis opened the club in 1985 as Hilarities in Cuyahoga Falls and Barakat and his brother, Tannous, bought it in 2000.
After a fire in 2004, the brothers moved the club to State Road and changed the name to the Funny Stop.
The club hosted countless aspiring comedians over the ensuing years and some pretty big names in comedy, including Jim Florentine, Don Jamieson, Basile, Mark Anthony and Pauly Shore.
Comedian Basile Katsikis posted on social media that he is saddened to hear the club is for sale and that it may close its doors.
“The Funny Stop wasn’t just a comedy club, it was a piece of history, community and family,” he posted.
Katsikis, who would make an annual appearance at the club, said the owners were hilarious to work with.
“If you ever knew the family behind the Funny Stop, you’d understand, it was basically a situation comedy within a comedy club setting,” he posted. “Organized chaos. A Chinese fire drill wrapped in a Lebanese family business… and honestly, I LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT!”
In its post, the club thanked its patrons for their support over the years.
“Many thanks and appreciation to everyone who laughed, ate, drank and sometimes cried,” the post read. “It has been a great and unforgettable time.”
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Mic Drop. Funny Stop Comedy Club in Cuyahoga Falls up for sale
Reporting by Craig Webb, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
