BUFFALO -- Kristen Becker has been a standup comedian for more than ten years. She's always dreamed of opening her own comedy club in Buffalo. Now, that dream is becoming reality. Crews are putting the final touches on Helium Comedy Club in Buffalo's Cobblestone District. It's Helium's 3rd club nationwide. The other 2 are in Portland, Oregon and Philadelphia, PA.

Buffalo's General Manager, Kristen Becker said, "We get top acts from across the country. We have about 250 seats but nothing is more than 50 feet from the stage. There's not a bad seat in the house."

The club has already booked several national acts like Rob Schneider, DL Hughley, and Jim Norton.

Becker said comedy clubs, like Helium, that attract big names will also attract big dollars to the area.

"I think it's going to have a huge economic impact," Becker said. "I think people are going to come down and stay at hotels. The way they would travel to see their favorite rock band, people will travel to see their top name comedian."

The club sits on the former site of Benchwarmers Sports Bar & Grill and W.J. Morrissey's. It's right down the street from the First Niagara Center where, right now, there's no hockey being played because of the lockout. Becker says that shouldn't affect them because crowds will still turn out to see the comedians, but it may help put a smile on Sabres fans faces.

The club also has a restaurant and bar and will be available for banquets and corporate meetings.

For more information go to www.heliumcomedy.com/buffalo .