2nd major closing confirmed for Mid City Mall in Louisville's Highlands neighborhood

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Two longtime businesses at the Mid City Mall on Bardstown Road are closing.

WDRB has learned that ValuMarket will close in spring 2026. Manager John Bizzell said that the supermarket will likely close in May, so the business can be down to "concrete floors and lights" when its lease ends in June.

In a release on Monday morning, Baxter Avenue Entertainment's ownership group released a statement that said it would close the theater at the end of December.

With heavy hearts, we announce that December 31 will be our final curtain call.

The future of Mid City Mall is uncertain. While Apex Entertainment would prefer to continue operations and serve its loyal patrons, that is not possible at the present time. We have not received any indication that the developers wish to incorporate Baxter Avenue Theatres into their plans. We disagree but respect their decision.

We would like our final week of business to be a celebration of the past three decades. During this time, our team served customers with midnight showings and film festival premieres while giving people a special place to make so many special memories with date nights and birthday parties. As we say goodbye, we hope you will take this opportunity to visit us one last time to catch a show. Please share your favorite Baxter memory in person or on social media. Thank you, Louisville, for all of your love and support!

Earlier this year, redevelopment plans for Mid City mall were released, which included plans to find a development company to buy the property.

"It's like being in that movie 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' where you're seeing things like slowly getting wiped out in a way and it kind of makes you wonder how long it will be before people forget about it all together," said Cassie Cline who works at a hair salon in the mall.

The Highlands-Shelby Park Library at the Mid City Mall reached an agreement to stay open through June 2026.

The indoor peddler's mall Nearly New 2 U opened its doors in the mall's basement in November. Its owner tells WDRB his lease to the 25,000 square foot space is up in June but hopes an extension will be offered.

But several businesses have already closed or moved. Ramen House Louisville moved to a location on Spring Street. The Nearly New Shop closed in September. The iconic Back Door Bar closed in May 2024, after the passing of longtime owner John Dant.

The Mid City Mall has been for sale since Nov. 2024. The site is now owned by the Bardstown Road Investment Co. and the David A. Metts Irrevocable Term Trust. It is assessed for tax purposes at $11.4 million.

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