LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – For decades, the Mid City Mall has been the heart of the Highlands. The shopping center has been around since the early 60s and is a central fixture for the community.
The Bardstown Road property was listed for sale back in November and is still waiting for a buyer to seal its fate. However, what that looks like is uncertain.
“It’s where I got my first job, about 1978,” Robert A. from Louisville said. “A little grocery store in the back where they would pay me 10 cents a cart as a child.”
Robert grew up going to, working at, and even having his own businesses near the mall. As time has gone on, he’s seen tenants in the mall come and go.
“There’s only two places for me to shop here now,” Robert said. “Used to come here and shop at five, or six, or seven stores.”
Today’s businesses and others include a wide mix: the Highlands-Shelby Park Library, a grocery store, a few salons, and more.
The owners of the building have previously said conversations have been had about bringing larger retail stores, more residential spaces, and even a boutique hotel to that space.
Two meetings are being held at the mall’s Highlands-Shelby Park Library for the public to weigh in on what they want to see with the mall. The first is Friday, May 23 at 8:30 a.m., and the second is June 17th at 6 p.m.
District 8 Councilman Ben Reno-Weber told WAVE in a statement, “This is little ‘d’ democracy. What we want to do here is help jump-start the listening process, so that whoever comes in to develop this iconic space understands our hopes, fears, and aspirations before they put pen to paper.”
Mid City Nails is one of a handful of conveniently located businesses Selina Guerad has taken advantage of since moving to the area a few months ago.
She says she would hate to lose having all the options close to her house and her work.
“It’s all in a five-minute radius from each other,” Guerad said. “That would be definitely devastating that would suck.”
Owner Nhan Nguyen has had the salon for five years. He says he hasn’t heard anything about who might buy the building, but says he’ll stay put if he can.
“But if they don’t give me the chance, I’ll have to find something else to work and make a living, you know?” Nguyen said.
While Robert is open to development and growth, he hopes the Highlands staple stays true to its local roots.
“I can’t think of any other business that’s been here longer than this place,” he said. “I say leave it alone.”
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