Another loss for Mid City Mall: Baxter Avenue Theater to close after decades

If you've been through Mid City Mall lately, you might have noticed it's starting to feel a little emptier.

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If you've been through Mid City Mall lately, you might have noticed it's starting to feel a little emptier. And now, there's more disappointing news for Louisville moviegoers and longtime fans of the Highlands neighborhood.

Baxter Avenue Theater announced this week that it will close its doors for good on December 31. The theater broke the news on social media, inviting customers to visit one last time and share their favorite memories.

"Baxter Avenue Theatre's final curtain call will be on December 31," the post read. "As we say goodbye, we hope you will take this opportunity to visit us one last time to catch a show. And please take a moment to share your favorite Baxter memory with us. Thank you, Louisville, for all of your love and support!"

The closure is just the latest in a string of losses for the Mid City Mall, which has been struggling to keep tenants in recent years.

A pattern of closures

The theater's announcement comes after several other beloved businesses have already left or shuttered- including Ramen House, the Nearly New Shop, and the iconic Back Door Bar, which closed following the passing of its longtime owner, John Dant.

There is one bit of good news: the Highlands-Shelby Park Library at Mid City Mall reached an agreement to stay open through June 2026, giving the community a little more time with that resource.

But the overall picture isn't encouraging. Mid City Mall itself has been on the market since November 2024, adding uncertainty about what comes next for the property and any remaining tenants.

For now, if you want one last chance to catch a movie at Baxter Avenue Theater, you've got until the end of the year.

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