Willis Opens The Mint For Charity Proceeds From Grand Opening Of Bar Go To Groups In Hailey

Actor Bruce Willis opened his latest business venture in a central Idaho town Saturday, the Mint Bar.

Willis bought the Mint, which has served drinks in Hailey since 1881, 18 months ago and launched a $1 million renovation.

The grand opening Saturday launched a 10-day series of events, with the proceeds from most going to benefit local charities.

Willis’ rock group, The Accelerators, was scheduled to feature the Saturday night performance. Legendary guitarist Bo Diddley flew in from Chicago to join in.

It was the latest development in the Wood River Valley, south of the Sun Valley Ski Resort, for Willis, who also owns a home in the area. Willis is planning other business developments at Hailey, which had a 1990 population of 3,657.

In an interview with the weekly Wood River Journal, Willis said he was pleased with the support he has received. “I’m happy to call this home,” he said.

He said city officials have a hard job ahead dealing with growth, but they’re coming around. “At first they bent over backwards to give the appearance of making me follow every letter of the law,” he said. “It got to the point where it was ridiculous.”

“You’re not going to stop growth. You may slow it down, or get in the way, but Hailey is growing.”

Proceeds from the grand opening shows will benefit the Hailey Public Library, the Idaho Conservation League, the Hailey Ski Team, Advocates for Survivors of Domestic Violence, the Crisis Hotline and the Wood River Little League.

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