Latest news with #CallingAllDreamers
CBS News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Haus of Comedy moving into new space in Old Sacramento
There will soon be another spot in Sacramento to tickle your funny bone. A new comedy club is opening up in Old Sacramento just two blocks away from Laughs Unlimited, which has been in business for more than four decades. Jessilee Windhaus is the owner of Haus of Comedy, a new venue opening up in an underground location at 2nd and K streets. Haus of Comedy has been renting space in a midtown theater for the last two years, where they could only perform about six shows a month. Now, they'll be able to do five or six a week. "A lot of people are shocked," Windhaus said. "There's so much incredible talent here in Sacramento when it comes to improv and comedy." Haus of Comedy was runner-up in this year's Calling All Dreamers contest, a program offered by the downtown partnership to assist new business entrepreneurs. "We were really impressed with their passion and creativity," said Andrew LaFrance, with the Downtown Sacramento Partnership. "They're really a fun group of people to be around." Laughs Unlimited just celebrated its 45th anniversary and is one of the oldest comedy spots in the nation. Windhaus said that her club is improv-based, while Laughs Unlimited focuses mostly on standup. Comedy fans are excited about another entertainment spot opening in Old Sacramento. "Even more reason why to come to Old Sac," one person said. Windhaus once worked at the Old Sac museum, leading history tours of the tunnels. Now, she's bringing her own funny business to the underground. "It will probably be haunted, which I'm excited about," she said. "I think ghosts are good at improv." Haus of Comedy will begin moving into their new Old Sacramento space at the end of this month, and it's planning on holding a grand opening celebration in January.
CBS News
06-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Pittador Brews named as winner of Sacramento's 2025 Calling All Dreamers contest
SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Downtown Partnership has been running a business incubation contest for 12 years now, and now we know the name of this year's winner. Andrew LaFrance manages the downtown partnership's Calling All Dreamers contest. The annual competition looks for people who want to open a new store but can use a little help getting started. This year's winner is Pittador Brews, which sells specialty teas and coffee. It's owned by Liliette and Stephen Freeman. "I'm still pinching myself," Liliette said. "I honestly didn't think we would win first place." "The prospects of opening up our own business is very appealing to me," Stephen said. The Freemans have been operating Pittador as a mobile pop-up business for the last five years, bringing their popular beverage blends to local festivals and farmer's markets. "Our coffee has always been very well received. Our teas are delicious. We're creative with our drinks," Liliette said. They've built up a loyal customer base that's been asking for a permanent location. "That is the number one question: 'Do you have a brick-and-mortar?' " Stephen said. Now, they're planning to open up a storefront this summer in the Heywood's Building on Second Street. "You can come in, sit down, have a cup or take it to go, and bring your dog in," Liliette said. Winning the contest comes with a $20,000 cash prize to help them purchase equipment and hire employees. "It's a quick celebration for me and then it's what have we not thought of. We're going to have some challenges. I don't know what they are yet but we're going to be ready," Freeman said. Contest organizers say that having a new social spot will help attract more customers to Old Sacramento. "With the A's coming in, there's going to be more tourists coming through than ever and they just want to provide a place for people to sit down and rest and find community," LaFrance said. This year's second-place winner was the improv theater Haus of Comedy, which will receive a $15,000 prize.
