Broken bone

Arkansas Business, July 28, 2003

With a "Closed for Remodeling" sign taped to the front door, Little Rock's Funny Bone shut its doors.

Days later; a large yellow Entergy disconnection notice was wedged between the locked doors. Late charges totaled more than $1,400.

The Ohio man who owns the Funny Bone name has taken notice. Mitch Kutash of the Cleveland Improv is planning to take over operations and reopen by Labor Day after reapplying for liquor licenses and making cosmetic changes. It will become a company-owned store and lose its franchise status, he said.

"They did OK, but they had some difficulties," he said of Joe Chadwick, the owner and manager. "We thought it was best to close it and reapply and start over again rather than to continue it through their corporation."

Chadwick will probably be moving on, Kutash said.

Chadwick couldn't be reached for comment at the club. Instead the club's answering machine yielded this message: "Hey and thanks for calling the Funny Bone. We decided to go fishing and take a vacation for the month of July. No, seriously, we're remodeling for the month of July and we will reopen in August. So, if you need to have any questions answered, please contact us between the hours of 11 and 5 Monday through Friday. Thanks and call again."

The Funny Bone hasn't been issued any remodeling permits from the city.

Funny Bone first opened at 107 E. Markham in May 2002.