Friday, April 24, 2009

Hailey seafood spot closes

Chester and Jake's calls it quits

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By TONY EVANS
Express Staff Writer

Chester and Jake's seafood restaurant at The Mint on Main Street in Hailey will close today, Friday.

Owner Steve Hogan has rented the lower level of The Mint from owner Bruce Willis since last May.

"They gave me a great deal on the place, but I just can't cover the overhead each month," Hogan said.

Before opening the Hailey locale, Hogan had operated Chester and Jake's in Bellevue in partnership with commercial crab fisherman Mark Scheving for nearly seven years. The two men also sold seafood from the Seattle area to Idaho restaurants.

The ground floor of The Mint was refurbished with fisherman décor, darts ranges and billiard tables. Chester and Jake's has recently provided a venue for Hailey Words and Music, a monthly performance of local musicians and poets.

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Hogan attended culinary school in Portland, Ore., before settling in the Wood River Valley for his internship in 1985 at Epitome Restaurant in Ketchum. In addition to running Chester and Jake's, he has worked at Soupçon and the Bullion Street Bistro, and served as executive chef at The Valley Club.

Hogan said he has no plans to reopen.

Since October, The Mint's upstairs bar and dance floor has been open only for concerts and special events. It will feature a performance by Kelly Joe Phelps on May 1.

Tony Evans: tevans@mtexpress.com