A double-sided digital billboard is in the works for The Comedy Store in West Hollywood.
The famed Sunset Strip venue is looking to erect a 69-foot sign with 1,000 square feet of ad space that’s inspired by the Art Deco details of the building’s main stage. The project, headed by Orange Barrel Media, was presented to the Historic Preservation Commission on Monday.
By maintaining the original location and size of the sign and ensuring that the “Comedy Store” identification remains prominent, the developers hope to demonstrate respect of the site’s cultural heritage.
Founded in 1972 by Sammy Shore, Mitzi Shore and Rudy DeLuca, The Comedy STore has become a revered space for both established and emerging comedic talents. Mitzi Shore’s leadership from 1974 onwards crafted the venue’s legacy, with her sons continuing the tradition.
The Comedy Store’s commitment to an unchanged, intimate setting has made it a preferred venue for comedians to develop their craft, offering a space for experimentation without the interference of phones or cameras. The venue remains a testament to the importance of authenticity, retaining its unique character as a hub for comedy in West Hollywood.
The round sign on the building’s facade is also looking at an upgrade. The “letterboard,” as it is called, will feature The Comedy Store’s static logo and a digital portion to showcase the comedy acts.
The project also aims to make the wait a little more comfortable for patrons. Currently, the queue for the main stage lines up along the sidewalk. This setup, combined with the placement of various public utilities (such as street trees, streetlights, parking meters, and fire hydrants) along the walkway, often leads to congested “pinch points” that can make the sidewalk seem overly crowded and difficult to navigate. The redesign expands the sidewalk and reserves a four-foot space exclusively for attendees in line, leaving five feet of walking space for pedestrians.
Adding a digital billboard is arguably NOT an upgrade.
How many more static or (worse) digital billboards will clutter Sunset Boulevard? Is the Strip becoming the Times Square of WeHo? Speaking of Times Square (TS), I remember when there were, of course, billboards in TS, mostly static with some having flashing lights or neon. The big “draw” back in the day was the Camel (?) cigarette sign with famous and not so famous people depicted blowing smoke rings over TS. Now, it appears that almost every inch of TS space is devoted to digital billboards. It is nauseating, especially to see it on New Year’s Eve. Let’s see: Sydney… Read more »
….and you get a digital billboard…and you get a digital billboard…and you get a digital billboard…and you..