Community rallies to save Baxter Avenue Theatre in the Highlands as owners 'evaluate' future

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Owners of Baxter Avenue Theatres in the Highlands said they're evaluating the future of the theatre.

Local filmmakers and movie lovers said they are worried the popular theatre located at the Mid City Mall on Bardstown Road may be in danger of closing.

Earlier this year, redevelopment plans of the mall came to light. Louisville Business First reported last year the owners of the mall were looking for a development company to buy the land.

"It's just sad, sad to see a place like this maybe leave, maybe close down or maybe move locations, we're not exactly sure what's going to happen," Louisville filmmaker, Emmett Swann, said.

Swann has been making films for about three years and has five short films. He realized something was off when he reached out to the theatre about a booking for one of his films.

"They got back to me and said they couldn't share any availability for 2026," he explains.

That's why Swann took to Change.org and created a petition called "Save Baxter Avenue Theatre: Louisville's Last Indie Cinema Landmark." That petition now has more than 4,500 signatures.

"I thought it would get maybe 30 likes and like five people would sign it so, it's really awesome to see the community and people really care about this place," Swann said.

He adds his next steps are to reach out to property owners, the listing agent of the property and District 8 Metro Councilman Ben Reno-Weber.

"To any developers thinking about making an offer on the space, one of the ways that would definitely get you in good graces with the neighbors is to continue to have a space, to have a theater," Reno-Weber told WDRB.

On Nov. 21 Apex Entertainment, the ownership group of Baxter Avenue Theatres, released this statement to the media:

"Baxter Avenue Theatres is open for business and pleased to welcome guests to come and enjoy a movie along with refreshments from our concession stand and drinks from the 4Bar. As we look ahead, we are also evaluating the future of Baxter Avenue Theatres within the evolving local real estate landscape.

During this holiday season, we hope family and friends visit us to enjoy some of the upcoming features we’ll be screening:

"Wicked for Good" (Showing now)

"Zootopia 2" (Opens Tuesday, Nov. 25)

"Sentimental Value" (Opens, Wednesday, Nov. 26)

"Five Nights At Freddy's 2" (Opens Friday, Dec. 5)

"Avatar: Fire and Ash" (Opens Friday, Dec. 19)

"The Sponge Bob Movie: Search for Squarepants" (Opens Friday, Dec. 19)

For more information and showtimes, visit baxter8.com."

Swann said they're also planning a walk-in where they ask people to sell out all the movies to show owners how much people care about the theatre.

"It's just so outwardly supportive of filmmakers and puts them on that pedestal and gives them that opportunity to share something with people that otherwise wouldn't be on the big screen, and we wouldn't know about," Swann said.

When asked what he would say to the owners, Swann expressed he just wants communication between them and the community.

"I want them to be open to having a conversation, I want maybe to figure out if we can put terms into place with the redevelopment and sale so that if the developer that buys it wants to keep this place then we can come to an understanding and keep this place or figure out how it can continue operating," he said.

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