For the week of November 19 - 24, 2003

Hailey mall
opening soon

Space at Bullion Square nearly full

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By MATT FURBER
Express Staff Writer

Most of the space in the nearly completed Bullion Square in Hailey has filled, said developer and managing member of a small group of Wood River Valley investors, John Sofro. Only one space behind the patio being installed on Main Street is yet to fill.

Kevin Jorgensen and Asron Ash of KMS Fabrics in Twin Falls prepare to unload the first awnings for the nearly completed Bullion Square in Hailey. Express photo by Matt Furber

Sofro said the last available 4,000 square feet could be split between two businesses, and he is expecting a letter of intent any day.

"It could be a great location for a restaurant," Sofro said.

The rest of the space has been spoken for, however. L.L. Greens, a hardware store, is going to be moving into the southern end of the building and owner Larry Green is happy about the new exposure.

"I am excited to be there. I am looking forward to a new store. There is a lot of energy on Main Street. Everything is really coming along," he said.

Other business will include a BlockBuster video store, Mailboxes Etc., a title company, Bungalow Furniture, Body Bust, a household products business, Big Belli Deli and Gypsy Ladies antiques and flowers on the north end of the mall at Carbonate Street.

"I think the center will be a definite asset to the community," Sofro said. "It is a boon to the urban core and to all the merchants, I hope."

Sofro said the design by architects Jay Cone and Eddy Svidgal fit with his vision for the mass of the building.

"I think once the awnings go up people will see how each space is like its own building," he said.

The owner of Paul’s Grocery store, Paul Zatica, who ran the previous business on the property, closed the sale with the current developers last March. Construction began in mid-June.

Contractor Tom Held provided each tenant with a "vanilla shell," but the tenants are responsible for their own build-out to their specific desires. Some tenants have done the work themselves. Others have used Held’s expertise or other sub-contractors.

Gypsy Ladies is nearly complete with wood floors, plaster walls and some mosaic tile. Other business opted for a stained concrete floor.

Sofro said he doesn’t plan a grand opening until spring, after all the merchants are up and running. Several businesses plan to open by Dec. 1, including Mailboxes Etc., Body Busters and BlockBuster.

The location for the shopping center at a stoplight is a bonus for Sofro and many of the merchants. They stress the advantage of having on street parking and being able to take advantage of the shell that was Paul’s Market.

"Everyone seems very excited about (their space)," Sofro said. "I want all these merchants to be successful in Hailey, so we don’t have to go elsewhere to get what we need."

 

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