Bruce Willis Developing Hailey Area

Bruce Willis is changing the shape of Hailey.

The Mint Bar and Restaurant, Willis’ addition to Main Street, recently opened.

Willis, 40, actor and sometimes local, who has become a Blaine County commercial developer, later will appear at the Mint himself with The Accelerators - the band that sparks openings of his Planet Hollywood night clubs nationwide. Willis plays harmonica in the band.

On the Fourth of July, Hailey - long overshadowed by Ketchum/ Sun Valley - will have its first fireworks show in a decade, courtesy of one of Willis’ entrepreneurial corporations, Valley Entertainment.

Meanwhile, renovation is under way at the Liberty Theater, bought by Willis from local auctioneer and former City Councilman John Carson. Reopening is planned for later this summer.

A block south, at Main and Croy streets, three buildings have been razed to make way for the E.G. Willis Building, a 21,000-square-foot retail and office structure named for Willis’ father.

Seven blocks north on Main, Willis owns a lot next to the Kings discount store that may be used for a hotel.

Willis and his wife, Demi Moore, have a $2 million, sixbedroom residence north of town near the Big Wood River.

The new Mint will accommodate 175 diners on the main floor. Upstairs is a high-tech blues bistro featuring a 34-foot-long bar and a big dance floor.