Louisville’s Mid-City Mall, a mainstay at 1250 Bardstown Road in the Highlands, has officially hit the market. Known for housing Baxter Avenue Theaters, ValuMarket, and Comedy Caravan, this 11.5-acre property is being sold through Cushman & Wakefield, potentially paving the way for a significant redevelopment.
Given this news, the fate of Baxter Avenue Theaters—a beloved community institution—comes into question.
Owner Leslie Aberson shared that they were aware of the property being up for sale, noting, “This is not new news, and all of my investors in the theater are also very well aware.”
When asked whether the theater would consider staying at Mid City Mall under new ownership, Aberson said that he “would definitely consider continuing operations under new ownership” so long as he had buy in from his board of investors.
The future of Baxter Avenue Theaters remains uncertain. While the team is committed to staying open for now, they admit there are no long-term plans solidified. “None of us hold a crystal ball, so in all honesty, Apex continues to take each day at a time and will continue to evaluate whether or not it makes sense to continue operating or not. As of now, our plan is to stay the course and open, but we do not have any long-term plans at this time.”
He candidly added, “I am sure it is no surprise that since the COVID-19 pandemic, theaters have struggled. Streaming services have made it more difficult for theaters to survive.”
As Louisville awaits the outcome of Mid City Mall’s sale, the community will be watching to see how the potential redevelopment impacts some of our most beloved local businesses. For now, the theater’s commitment to staying open reflects a cautious optimism amid an evolving landscape.
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Mid-City Mall In Louisville’s Highlands Neighborhood Is Up for Sale
This article appears in Nov 4-19, 2024.
