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Laughter dies at Giggles clubs

By LOGAN NEILL
Published December 21, 2006

Jay Thomas is in the comedy business. But lately he hasn't had much to laugh about. As of this week, two of his more successful Giggles comedy clubs are no more.

After nearly two years of operating in the Best Western Weeki Wachee Resort in Weeki Wachee and the Bella Oasis Hotel and Spa in Homosassa, Thomas said Giggles has been given the boot.

Friday's show in Homosassa featuring comedians Candi Abelson and Lawrence Mullaney was the final booking of the operation that routinely brought nationally known standup comedy acts to the North Suncoast.

For Thomas, who along with his wife, Candy, operates five other Giggles clubs, the closing was a huge letdown.

"It's a shame, because I thought we were doing pretty well for them," said Thomas. "We started from scratch and built it up. We put a tremendous amount of effort into it."

Although the clubs often drew 65 to 70 patrons a night, Thomas said, he was told by the venue management that plans were being made to switch to other entertainment on weekends. "It's sad," said Thomas. "What we provided them was something unique that people in the area can't find anywhere else."

The two North Suncoast Giggles clubs were part of a franchise that included four other Florida venues. Thomas said being able to offer comedians four bookings in a weekend enabled him to snare higher quality talent.

"Most of the comics we brought in were on the verge of jumping into the national spotlight," Thomas said. "They loved performing here."

Four years ago, the Thomases opened a club inside the former Bentley's restaurant in Spring Hill but had to pull out after a year when the restaurant's new owners decided to steer the business in a different direction.

For a time, they also ran the Giggles club at the Angel Cabaret Theater in New Port Richey, which closed when the venue folded in December 2004.

Thomas said that he has been actively seeking new spots for his two Giggles clubs and hopes to be able to announce new locations shortly after the new year. When Giggles makes its return, he believes he'll have a ready and willing audience. "People are already telling me they miss it," he said.

Logan Neill can be reached at 352 848-1435 or lneill@sptimes.com.

[Last modified December 20, 2006, 21:28:19]