Baxter Avenue Theatres is coming to a close after a long life in Louisville’s Highlands neighborhood.
The theater’s last day open will be Dec. 31, according to a Dec. 22 statement from Apex Entertainment, Baxter’s parent company.
“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,” a spokesperson said.
Best known for showing foreign and independent films, the eight-screened theater has been a Highlands staple since it opened in 1996 on Bardstown Road.
Baxter has hosted at least 300 showings of cult-classic films throughout the years, including “Donnie Darko,” which premiered the theater’s Midnight at the Baxter series in 2003. It was also the location for the premiere of the “White Men Can’t Jump” remake starring Jack Harlow, who grew up in the area.
The future of the theater has been up in the air since Mid City Mall hit the market in 2024, with the potential to be redeveloped by a new owner. According to previous reporting by The Courier Journal, owner Leslie Aberson had said he had no plans of relocating if the theater at the mall’s rear entrance did close.
In November, rumors of the close started circulating on social media, sparking a change.org petition to save the theater, which the petition referred to as “Louisville’s last indie cinema landmark.” As of Dec. 12, the petition had gathered more than 5,500 signatures, with commenters sharing their memories of Baxter. In a Nov. 21 statement from Apex Entertainment, the theater’s future was left uncertain.
“As we look ahead, we are also evaluating the future of Baxter Avenue Theatres within the evolving local real estate landscape,” a company spokesperson said.
The group wants its final week 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,” a spokesperson said. “As we say goodbye, we hope you will take this opportunity to visit us one last time to catch a show.”
Previous local theaters with similar fates to Baxter include the Vogue Theater, which closed in 1998; Showcase Cinemas, which closed in 2004 and Village 8, which closed in 2022.
This story may update.
