When Preacher Lawson began work as a comic 14 years in the past, the stage at Austin’s Espresso helped strengthen his chops at stand-up throughout its weekly Comedy Evening.
Years later when the Winter Park fixture for arts and leisure was threatened with closure, Lawson joined two others to purchase and relocate it. His function was quiet at first, however Austin’s new administration revealed it this week because the store prepares to close its doorways on Saturday night time at its longtime 929 W. Fairbanks Ave. residence.
Every week later, on Nov. 1, Austin’s is eyeing a delicate opening at its new 2240 W. Fairbanks Ave. location — a couple of mile west of its present website close to Interstate 4.
“I simply needed to ensure Austin’s is OK,” Lawson instructed the Sentinel on Tuesday. “It’s actually a pillar for comedy within the Orlando scene.
“It’s one among my favourite mics ever. It actually helped me develop as a comic.”
In 2011 he got here to Orlando from his native Portland, Oregon, as a result of his mom lived right here. He turned an everyday at Austin’s Comedy Nights till he left the world in 2016.
From there he was a finalist on NBC’s “America’s Received Expertise” in 2017, completed within the prime 5 of “AGT Champions” in 2019 and was a semifinalist on “AGT Fantasy League” in 2024. Amazon Prime lately debuted his second stand-up particular, “My Identify is Preacher.” His YouTube channel has greater than 677,000 subscribers.
Lawson, who now lives in Los Angeles, mentioned it’s vital to assist the area people and when he’s in Orlando it seems like residence: “I don’t really feel like a have a house wherever else.”
He’s presently headlining the DisFunctional Household Tour together with his mom, Mama Lawson, and his brother, Justin Lawson.
“I’m probably not political, I simply go up there and share my viewpoint,” Lawson mentioned. “I simply say what I feel is humorous on stage and hopefully individuals will agree with me.”
He mentioned comedians who’ve influenced him probably the most embody Jim Carrey, Jamie Foxx and Will Smith.
Lawson owns Austin’s with Richard Whitmer and his sister, Angela Whitmer. Richard mentioned Tuesday that he and his sister plan to deal with day-to-day operations. The trio purchased it from Jackie Moore, a co-owner with two others, who mentioned she and her household gained’t be concerned within the store going ahead however she’s glad it’s going to dwell on after its lease with the Metropolis of Winter Park ran out.
Richard Whitmer is a longtime Central Floridian who till 2022 was an proprietor of now-closed La-Kuma Espresso in Longwood. He mentioned he desires to proceed the 25-year cultural legacy of the quirky store that has constructed its reputation partly by the common dwell performances it’s featured for many years.
He mentioned although plans to reopen within the new location Nov. 1 are formidable, issues are going easily.
“Every little thing is lining up very well proper now,” Whitmer mentioned. “All people who’s are available in has been very impressed with how giant it’s.”
He mentioned the location is about 2,400 sq. toes in comparison with the present 900 — with an even bigger kitchen and stage. A number of the present Austin’s staff are anticipated to work at its new location. A earlier tenant on the website was Loving Vegan Market & Delicacies.
Regardless of shifting from its residence of greater than 25 years, a lot of the brand new Austin’s will look acquainted, Whitmer mentioned.
“We’re going to be bringing over numerous furnishings and artwork,” he mentioned. “We’re going to carry all of the issues that individuals actually love.”
Winter Park purchased the land beneath the prevailing Austin’s final 12 months after coveting it for many years, partly to assist relieve nasty visitors congestion at a close-by intersection. The town didn’t renew the store’s lease and set an Oct. 31 closure date.
Austin’s is the closest enterprise to the troublesome intersection; the opposite companies on the land, together with Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant Soseki, will proceed. The town plans so as to add devoted left-turn lanes (in each instructions) from Fairbanks to Denning Drive. It additionally desires to broaden Martin Luther King Jr. Park, enhance drainage in an space which frequently floods in heavy rains, and beautify Lake Rose (created by a sinkhole).
