A new comedy club in downtown Des Moines aims to build up local stand-up talent and elevate the metro into the next big comedy destination.

Teehee’s Comedy Club will open at the former Found Things location at 1433 Walnut Street and occupy the western portion of the building.

The 3,100-square-foot, boutique-style club includes a bar, stage and space for 100 people inside.

Sid Juwarker, a co-owner of the club, said there is a lack of places for local comedians to regularly practice their sketches on an audience, particularly after the closure of Last Laugh Comedy Theater in Des Moines.

Juwarker said his priority is to build up local talent, so they can eventually grow to a larger, national stage like the Funny Bone in West Des Moines.

While local comedians typically move to larger cities like Chicago or Denver when they're trying to get their big break, he said he hopes Teehee's can help Des Moines become the next big comedy spot.

“Des Moines comedians are going to be blowing up everywhere. And people are going to go, ‘huh?’” Juwarker said. “The next wave of amazing comedians are going to come out of Des Moines.”

Like the show, “Whose Line is it Anyway?” a rotating four-person cast will perform shows Friday and Saturday evenings. Open mic nights will be held on Thursdays and improv workshops and classes will also be available throughout the week. For people interested in honing their comedy skills, whether for fun or to break into the professional field, classes will be available along with opportunities to move up and audition for shows, Juwarker said.

During the daytime, the venue will be used as a rental space for businesses and for improv workshops for companies.

“We want this to be a place that people want to be entertained and stay away from the noise of it all,” Juwarker said.

Teehee’s is expected to open in October.