Louisville families to seek new Christmas tradition with closure of Baxter Avenue Theatres

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Holiday traditions look different for every family, but some in Louisville are going to be looking for a new tradition after a local business closes at the end of the month.

Monday morning, Baxter Avenue Entertainment's ownership group released a statement that said the theatre would close Dec. 31.

Christmas Day, several people told WDRB going to Baxter Avenue Theatres was their family tradition.

"Christmas and we come for Thanksgiving and any time we see a movie frankly, we come to this theatre," Michael Hoadley said. "This is like our big last Christmas here; I think we might buy a ticket every day until New Year's," Morgan Jones added.

The closure is because of the uncertainty with the Mid City Mall's future as the building is up for sale.

Apex Entertainment said it hasn't received any indication developers want to keep the theatre in their plans.

Now, the Jones family is trying to find a new Christmas tradition for next year.

"We've been coming here since we were kids," Ashton Jones said. "I don't know what it will be yet, but it will be sad it's not Baxter."

Others who showed up at the theatre for the holidays are still fighting for the business.

"My hope is that someone else takes the torch here and maybe opens up a theatre that has the same sort of focus that Baxter Avenue Theatres does," said Hoadley.

This was Apex Entertainment's full statement on the closure:

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!

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Louisville families to seek new Christmas tradition with closure of Baxter Avenue Theatres