NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Iconic New York City comedy club Carolines on Broadway will close its doors on Jan. 1 after 40 years, the venue announced Tuesday.
“After 30 wonderful years at our location in Times Square, we have decided not to renew our lease,” Caroline Hirsch, Founder & Owner of Carolines on Broadway and New York Comedy Festival, said in a statement. “Our final shows here will be on December 31.”
Carolines first started with a location in Chelsea 40 years ago, moving to the South Street Seaport before finding a home in Times Square in 1992.
The club is located at 750 Seventh Avenue between West 49th and 50th streets where its 10-year lease will expire at the end of the year.
When Hirsch first moved the comedy venue to Times Square, the neighborhood was struggling with high crime and lack of governmental intervention.
“People thought we were crazy to invest in Times Square, only later to say that we were ahead of the curve when global brands like Disney, Nasdaq and national retailers and businesses came to the neighborhood,” Hirsch said. “We are very proud to have played an integral role in its resurgence and brought much needed laughter to the neighborhood and the city.”
The list of names who graced Carolines’ stages is long and includes Richard Belzer, Jerry Seinfeld, Billy Crystal, Jon Stewart, Jimmy Fallon, Michael Che, Robin Williams, Larry David and Conan O’Brien.
Despite closing their doors, Hirsch said she is working on expanding the Carolines brand and bringing comedy to more people in more places as well as continuing to grow the New York Comedy Festival.
“No matter the shape or form of Carolines’ future platform, we will always shine a spotlight on emerging talent,” Hirsch continued. “We want to thank the comedians, our incredibly talented staff and all of the comedy fans who have visited the club throughout the years to help make Carolines the success it has been for the last four decades.”
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