The Mint Bar closes its doors

Future of Bruce Willis' Hailey nightclub uncertain

By :TONY EVANS

It's getting harder to find a place to party in the Wood River Valley. Last week, the upstairs Mint Bar in Hailey, owned by actor Bruce Willis, closed unexpectedly. That leaves the Hailey Hotel as the dance floor of last resort in Blaine County's biggest town.

"No one said why it was closing," said Steve Hogan, who operates Chester and Jake's Seafood on the ground floor of The Mint at 116 N. Main St. "We got the word last Thursday and ran (the club) through the weekend. I suppose it was a business decision."

Hogan's wife, Tanya, had been promoting shows at The Mint, including the local band Straight Up last weekend. Steve said he sent a letter to Willis' office in Los Angeles this week inquiring about the possibility of signing a lease himself to run the bar and dance floor.

"I can't tell you any more because I signed a confidentiality agreement before working for Willis," he said.

Employees of Valley Entertainment, the company representing Willis' interests in the area, have long been required to sign agreements not to discuss the Hollywood couple's business before dealing with Willis and his ex-wife, Demi Moore.

The Hogans hoped to create the one-stop, eating-and-entertainment location envisioned by Willis years ago when they moved Chester and Jake's seafood restaurant from Bellevue to The Mint's ground floor last summer.

Tanya founded "Prove It Promotions" and last year brought Windham Hill recording artist Will Ackerman and some of his friends to the Liberty Theatre, also owned by Willis, for sell-out performances.

As for now, Chester and Jake's will continue to operate, providing billiards, darts and seafood seven days a week. The last upstairs party will take place on Halloween Night, featuring the local band Hoodwink.

Valley Entertainment President Jack Pashkin was unavailable for comment.