COLUMBIA, SC (WACH) -- It’s a business that’s been making people laugh for more than a decade, but now the people behind the comedy are facing serious times.

The Comedy House has been forced to shut its doors, putting dozens of people out of work. The Comedy House wants to assure everyone this closure is not permanent. They’ve got a sign on the door stating shows will be rescheduled, but in the meantime their employees need some help.

“Having to let them go was one of the hardest things we’ve ever done. We’ve been open almost 13 years and most of those people have been with us for those 13 years,” said Peter Hamlett with the Comedy House.

On March 15, with the governor encouraging no groups larger than 10 people, the Comedy House made a difficult decision.

“So we just had to close The Comedy House, cancel our acts, and hope for the best,” said Hamlett. “Sent all of our employees home, no job, and with the way things are going we don’t know when we can open back up”.

Now, the Comedy House has set up a GoFundMe, hoping the community can help them pay their employees until the show can go on.

“We’re not a facility that can open for 10 or 15 people. Our showroom seats 375, so we need to be able to open up all the way,” said Hamlett.

So far, the GoFundMe has raised around $600. Their goal is $10,000.

“We just want to survive through this time and look forward to having a laugh together when it’s all over,” said Hamlett.

To visit the GoFundMe click here.